At least one person died and 19 were seriously injured when a major fire broke out in a paint factory in Southeast Delhi in the early hours of Sunday. Police said the condition of three admitted to a city hospital is critical.

Police said the blaze started in a factory located in Phase II, Okhla Industrial Area. It was reported at 2 am and about 20 fire engines were sent to fight the fire. The main burner in the paint factory, located at E-48, Okhla Industrial Area burst at 1.30 am. A huge explosion took place and the entire factory was engulfed in flames which spread to five other factories.

There were four labourers sleeping in the paint factory, who were trapped in the fire. Fire officials took about five hours to douse the flames. The injured were rushed to Safdarjung Hospital, where one Khem Raj was declared dead on arrival. Fifteen other workers are at the AIIMS Trauma Centre.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast), Shalini Singh said, “We are ascertaining the cause of the fire. A case has been registered and investigations are on.”