NOIDA, India: At least 24 workers were injured after a fire broke out at an electric meter manufacturing factory in Sector 4 of Noida early on Thursday morning, officials said.
According to police, the blaze started between 5:30am and 5:45am at the factory, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Phase-1 police station. Emergency teams were immediately alerted and rushed to the site to control the situation, reports The Indian Express.
Firefighters had to break glass panels of the building to gain entry and rescue around 200 to 250 workers who were trapped inside the smoke-filled factory. Many of the workers had been on the night shift when the incident occurred.
Rajiv Narayan Mishra, Additional Police Commissioner (Law and Order) for Gautam Buddha Nagar, said senior police officials and the Chief Fire Officer were present at the scene during the rescue operation.
District hospital
He confirmed that the injured workers were taken to the district hospital, where they were receiving treatment and were reported to be out of danger.
Authorities said the rescue operation was challenging due to the thick smoke inside the building, which caused breathing difficulties for several workers.
More than 30 firefighting vehicles, including hydraulic platforms and foam tenders, were deployed to the site to bring the blaze under control and assist with rescue efforts.
Officials said some workers suffered minor injuries while attempting to escape, while others were hospitalised after inhaling smoke.
The fire was eventually brought under control, and all workers were evacuated from the building.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
