Two firemen battle 50% burns after Faridabad factory explosion, in ICU

GURGAON: Two firemen who rushed into a burning industrial unit in Faridabad's Mujesar on Monday to rescue trapped workers are now battling for their lives in hospital with over 50% burn injuries.

Ranveer (28) and Bhavi Chand (48) are undergoing treatment at the ICU of AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. Around 4pm on Monday, a fire and series of explosions at two factories in Mujesar industrial area left 35 people injured in total, including three policemen and the owners of the two workshops.


Preliminary findings revealed that the incident began at Shiv Steel Company, where a machine used for cutting steel caught fire while it was still operating. As workers and first responders tried to contain the flames and pull people out, the fire spread to an adjacent unit — Kalkaji Lubricants — where highly inflammable chemical drums were stored without any cover, setting off a series of explosions.

A senior fire officer said the department received the first distress call around 4.30pm. A team from NIT fire station reached within minutes, while two policemen on an emergency response vehicle also arrived at the spot.

Ranveer and Bhavi Chand, along with driver Gopal, led the initial response. "After we received the message from our Panchkula headquarters, it appeared to be a routine workshop fire. We did not know chemical drums were stored there. As the team laid hose pipes and prepared to douse the flames, a massive explosion occurred in the drums. The blast was so powerful that Ranveer was flung in the air and slammed against the fire tender parked outside the factory," the official said.

Bhavi Chand was trapped inside. "He managed to crawl out despite severe injuries, and then collapsed," the officer added.

Gopal — though injured by glass shards from the fire tender's damaged windscreen — helped pull the victims to safety and get them to hospital. The fire was brought under control in about 40 minutes, the official said, adding that the team prevented "50 to 60" chemical drums stored outside from exploding.

Three cops engaged in the rescue operation were also injured.

Constable Ajnesh Kumar, who was in an ERV attached to Sector 8 police station, said he and special police officer Abhishek reached the site and found a machine engulfed in flames. Fire brigade teams and sub-inspector Ravi from Mujesar police station arrived soon after. During firefighting, Ajnesh said, a powerful blast occurred, causing the blaze to spread rapidly and pulling down a part of a factory wall. All three cops suffered burn injuries. As debris fell and the flames spread, burning chemicals gutted vehicles parked nearby — including a crane, scooters, motorcycles and cars.

An FIR was registered at Mujesar police station under BNS sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), and 124(1) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid). Police said the case had been filed against unknown persons for now. "The owners of both factories are injured and are likely to be named in the FIR after investigation," an officer said. Sources said the two owners are brothers.

Colleagues said both injured firemen are sole breadwinners for their families. Another fireman said Ranveer and Bhavi Chand are contractual staff without any insurance cover and have not been paid for the past two to three months. "When the govt doesn't even think about their salaries, how will they think about safety," he sought to know.