Firestorm in Kundli: Two days, 7 factories & a wake-up call

Just a day after a massive fire engulfed four factories in the Kundli industrial area, another major blaze broke out on Sunday in a footwear manufacturing unit, spreading rapidly to two adjoining factories and causing extensive damage.

Fire engines from multiple districts were pressed into service to douse the flames, while Deputy Commissioner Dr Manoj Kumar Yadav announced that a comprehensive fire safety audit of all industries in the district would soon be conducted. The Kundli Industrial Association has also called a meeting on Monday to address the escalating fire safety concerns.

According to officials, the fire erupted at Naira Polyrub Private Limited, a footwear manufacturing unit located at Plot No. 106, Phase 4, Sector 57. Due to the highly inflammable materials used in shoe production and strong winds, the flames quickly spread to the adjacent factories at Plot No. 107 and Plot No. 81. One of the affected units manufactures electronic goods.

Fire brigades from Kundli, Rai and Sonepat responded promptly. However, given the intensity of the fire, additional engines were summoned from Panipat, Rohtak, Jhajjar and Narela in Delhi.

This incident followed a similar disaster on Friday night, when a fire originating at Omkara Footwears spread to Royal Polyurethane, Shiv Charan Das Masala and Durga Cooling Systems, causing significant losses to all four units.

Subhash Gupta, Director of the Kundli Industrial Association, expressed grave concern over the repeated fire incidents. “It’s very unfortunate that factories have suffered massive losses two days in a row. We have called an emergency meeting with all industrialists on Monday to address this growing issue,” he said.

Gupta urged factory owners to ensure their fire safety systems are operational, maintain adequate water supplies for emergencies, and keep access routes clear for fire services.

DC Dr Manoj Kumar Yadav said while no lives were lost, the repeated incidents are a serious concern. “We deployed 18-20 fire engines, including from Delhi, to contain the blaze. I’ve written to the Director General, Fire Services, requesting a special survey to identify which industries have fire NOCs and which don’t. We’ll also categorise the industries based on risk,” he said.

He reiterated his commitment to industrial safety, saying, “I will again push for a fire safety audit of all industries in the district to prevent such incidents in the future.”

Haryana Tribune