Poisonous gas leakage at Sabzi Mandi godown

NEW DELHI: A 17-year-old boy died and 30 others were hospitalised after a leakage of poisonous gas in a godown at Sabzi Mandi in north Delhi on Wednesday.
According to the police, diffusion of gas from a pesticide stored in the godown led to the incident.
About 30 people, including four children, were admitted to Hindu Rao hospital. "A fire had broken out two days ago in the same godown.The residents complained of a pungent smell and breathlessness on Wednesday," said additional deputy commissioner of police (north) Garima Bhatnagar.
One of the victims, Akash (17), died in the hospital.
Residents of the area said that a 1-year-old child had died in the fire incident on Monday evening. The police admitted that Akash was the only fatal casualty.
A foul smell started emanating on Tuesday evening. "We first thought that the smell had resulted from the fire and that it would soon subside. However, it became unbearable by 5 am on Wednesday and the fire office was called," said Kishori Devi (55), a resident of nearby Roshanara road.
Fire engines and disaster management teams were rushed to the spot. About 300 residents of the area have been moved out.
The police said that the gas leakage resulted from a fire which took place in the godown on Monday. The godown is owned by transport company Jaipur Golden.
"The boxes containing the pesticide were heated by the fire caused late on Monday night. The excessive use of water to douse the flames later caused violent reaction in these boxes and made them explode resulting in the gas," said chief fire officer R C Sharma.
Several boxes of pesticides like aluminium phosphate were stored in the godown.
Among those admitted to the hospital included local MLA Rakesh Jain, who along with others tried to enter the godown and complained of suffocation. The police have registered a case of negligence against the transport company whose owner is absconding.
Twenty-four people were discharged from the hospital by evening.