Inferno at Faridabad steel unit: Series of blasts after short circuit sparks hit oil drums; 35+ injured

GURGAON: More than 35 people were injured on Monday after a short circuit inside a steel factory in Faridabad's Mujesar industrial area threw up sparks that raced into uncovered oil and chemical drums kept outside, triggering a series of explosions and a massive fire.

Officials said the exact cause of the blasts and the blaze was still under investigation, but preliminary findings suggested that the fire started during steel-cutting operations around 4pm. According to them, a computer numerical control machine kept inside the workshop developed an electrical fault, causing sparks to quickly spread to the oil drums stored in the open.


Police said the drums contained Mobil oil and other inflammable chemicals that were kept without any cover or adequate safety measures. As the sparks reached the containers, several blasts followed in quick succession, intensifying the flames and sending burning material across several metres.

According to cops, only five to six workers were inside the factory of Kalkaji Steel when the first explosion occurred. However, many of those injured were people on the road outside and workers from nearby factories who rushed in to help rescue those trapped and to douse the flames — only to be caught in further explosions as more drums went off.

More than a dozen fire tenders were rushed to the spot to bring the blaze under control. "Firefighters trained water jets on the chemical drums to prevent additional explosions. Thick plumes of smoke spread across the industrial area, which caused panic among people living nearby," an official said.

Twelve of the injured workers were admitted to BK Civil Hospital and 23 others were taken to private facilities in Faridabad. A police officer said the number of injured could be around 50, with some shifted to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS.

Chief medical officer Jayant Ahuja said the civil hospital cleared wards and reinforced emergency staff. "Based on preliminary clinical assessment, most of the injuries are superficial burns, primarily involving the skin. The nature of the burns appears to be chemical, possibly associated with metallic substances. This, however, will be confirmed after further medical evaluation," he said.

"Some patients also suffered respiratory distress from chemical fumes. They are also being kept under continuous observation," he added.

A woman working in a nearby unit said the steel factory owner was also among those injured. Officials said at least eight persons were taken to Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS till Monday night. "We made green corridors to transfer the injured workers. The alertness of officials helped us reach the critical victims to hospitals in the golden hour and avoid fatalities. The SDRF was also roped in to conduct rescue operations," an official told TOI.

According to the CMO, Ajnesh, a driver deployed with the Faridabad police emergency response vehicle, also sustained multiple burns during rescue operation. Two other cops who arrived after an alert from the police control room also suffered chemical burns. Several vehicles parked near the factory — cars, two-wheelers, and even cranes — were gutted. Police from Mujesar station cordoned off the area and restricted traffic as senior officials, including SDM Badhkal Trilok Chand, reached the site. A senior official said police would soon register an FIR and carry out a detailed investigation to ascertain what caused the fire. The fire department will also prepare a report on lapses on the part of the factory management, if any.

"Three cops and two firemen suffered injuries during the rescue bid. We are in the process of registering an FIR," said Yashpal Yadav, a police spokesperson.