In the aftermath of the fire at a perfume manufacturing unit in Himachal Pradesh's Solan, the death toll has risen to five, with firefighters laboring to bring the blaze under control nearly 24 hours after it began, according to officials on Saturday.
The substantial fire erupted around 2:45 pm on Friday, prompting a search for nine individuals who remain missing. A senior officer mentioned that 31 people sustained injuries in the fire.
Tragically, a woman referred to PGIMER Chandigarh was declared brought dead on Friday, followed by the recovery of four more bodies from the site, as confirmed by Deputy Commissioner of Solan, Manmohan Sharma.
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The fire continues to pose challenges for containment due to the ignition of inflammable substances used in perfume and cosmetic manufacturing. An FIR, including charges of negligence and endangerment, has been registered against the factory head, Chander Shekhar, who has been subsequently arrested.
Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu, on the scene, formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Additional Superintendent of Police Ashok Verma to conduct a thorough investigation. A magisterial inquiry has also been initiated, promising adequate compensation for the families of the deceased and injured.
Eyewitnesses reported harrowing scenes of people jumping from the building's upper floors to escape, sustaining multiple injuries. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.
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The firefighting operations faced obstacles due to thick smoke emanating from cosmetic materials. Workers sought safety on top of the building, further complicating the situation.
Outside the factory, family members and friends of the missing individuals anxiously await updates. A viral video on social media captured the emotional plea of a woman searching for her missing daughter.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is actively assessing the structural safety of the site and working to eliminate hazardous gases. Following the clearance, a team of forensic experts will inspect the site and gather essential evidence. Given the complexity of the incident, the DGP has requested assistance from the Central Forensic Science Team of the Government of India.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's proposed visit to the fire site was hindered by inclement weather, preventing his chopper from taking off.
