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A firefighter succumbed to injuries during rescue operations at a factory in Delhi’s Peeragarhi after a fire broke out on Thursday, 2 January. Fourteen of his colleagues were injured in the operations.
The firefighter’s body was recovered under the building's debris five to six hours into the firefighting operation, PTI reported.
The deceased firefighter has been identified as Amit Balyan (20). He was admitted to the nearby Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute where he succumbed to injuries, according to news agency PTI.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore to Balyan’s kin, according to ANI.
“It is with deep sadness I inform you that one of our firemen was martyred while saving people from fire. Our firemen save other people's lives by putting their lives under extremely risk in difficult circumstances. May his soul rest in peace,” Kejriwal tweeted.
According to NDTV, Balyan was posted in the Kirti Nagar branch of the Department of Delhi Fire Services.
‘Thought My Son Will Be Fine’
Balyan's wife Shivani is a constable in UP police and posted in Ghaziabad. His father Babu Ram is an assistant sub-inspector in Delhi Police. Surrounded by relatives outside the mortuary of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, where Balyan's body was kept for post-mortem, Ram was left numb with shock.
"I did not tell my family about the incident when I received a call. I thought my son had suffered minor injuries and would be fine. Later, when I reached the spot, there were many fire tenders and my son was under the debris,” said the father.
Case Transferred to Crime Branch
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has transferred the case to crime branch, PTI reported.
A large portion of the two-storey building collapsed following an explosion when firefighters were dousing the blaze, an official said, adding that fire department had received a call at 4:23 am.
According to fire department officials, the fire has been brought under control but the cooling process is still underway. All the firemen, who were trapped under the debris, have been rescued, PTI reported.
Plumes of smoke billowed out from the building as the fire brigade personnel battled to contain the blaze. An eyewitness said several explosions were heard as the blaze gutted down the building.
According to the police, eighteen people have been rescued so far, including two caretakers and a security guard. Most of those trapped inside were fire personnel; among them, two are said to be critical and others are out of danger.
Police said legal action is being taken under appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI.)
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