Trapped in the inferno, all entry & exit routes blocked

NEW DELHI: Fire department officials said the factory that was gutted had a 'no objection certificate' from the fire department. "Prima facie, it had stored too many cartons, blocking all exits and escape routes. There was a wire mesh on the walls that prevented those inside from jumping out. The windows were also blocked. We do not know the cause of the fire and will investigate after the rescue operation is over," Delhi fire chief A K Sharma said.
Police have registered a case of causing death due to negligence and the Delhi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry.
Narinder Singla, who owns the factory called Pinky Porsh Pvt Ltd, will be interrogated late on Thursday night, police said. Among other things, the factory produced slippers under the brand name Sonata.
"We have a list of 10 missing persons. Some of them could be those whose bodies have been found but could not be identified. We are investigating whether fire safety norms were flouted," said additional commissioner of police V Renganathan.
Those missing are Rajkumar, Bittoo, Manoj, Ajay, Ravi, Mohammad Faizad, Mohammad Sattar, Sunil, Chandrashekhar and Anil, police said.
At least 22 people were on rolls of the factory while many other workers were employed through contractors on a daily basis, police said. "There should have been a few more exits in the factory. Besides, the fire fighting equipment seems to have been in place but was dysfunctional," a fire official said.