06 February,2024 01:50 PM IST | Harda | mid-day online correspondent
The fire fighting operations are underway/ Pic/PTI
The massive fire that erupted in a firecracker factory in Harda town, Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday morning has taken the death toll to six, and have left at least 50 others injured. A number of people are also feared trapped in and around the factory unit. The blaze broke out at 11:30 am at the factory operated illegally on Magardha Road in Bairagarh village, news wire PTI reported.
CM of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav has announced that Rs 4 lakh will be provided as ex-gratia to the families of the deceased, and the injured will be given free treatment.
The fire fighting operations are underway. The area has tight police security deployed to control the situation, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are also been called.
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Some videos of the incident have also surfaced on social media showing the fire with intermittent explosions and people running to save themselves. Thick smoke and flames have engulfed the sky in Harda town, raising concerns about the safety of nearby residents.
"Six people have died and more than 50 people are injured in this incident. Over 50 ambulances were sent to the spot. Our minister, Uday Pratap Singh, DG Home and around 400 police officials have left for the spot. We are trying to control the fire and provide immediate assistance to the injured," CM Yadav said, PTI reported.
Burn units at hospitals in Indore, Bhopal and the AIIMS in Bhopal are directed to make necessary arrangements for any emergency. Reports say that around 20 fire engines have reached the spot.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav spoke to the officials concerned and also directed minister Uday Pratap Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Ajit Kesari and Director General Home Guard Arvind Kumar to rush to Harda by a helicopter. Teams of NDRF and SDRF and fire brigades and ambulances are being sent from nearby cities, the CM office posted on X.
Several fire brigades are rushed from Indore and Bhopal towards Harda to help in the fire fighting operations.
(With PTI inputs)
