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Delhi Gov't Faces Public Flak Over Firemen's 'Helplessness' as Massive Blaze Leaves 43 Dead

New Delhi (Sputnik): Delhi State Chief Arvind Kejriwal has announced a magisterial inquiry into the fire and promised to provide compensation in the amount of 1 million rupees (about $14,000) for the dead and 100,000 ruppes (about $1,400) for the injured.
Sputnik

Delhi residents and people across India have been in a state of shock since a fire engulfed a three-storey building in the capital's Grain Market on early Sunday, leaving at least 43 people dead and many injured.

A number of people have taken to social media to question the Delhi government.    

"The building did not have clearance from Delhi Fire Service and no fire safety equipment was found installed on the premises", Delhi Fire Service Chief Atul Garg told the media. Delhi Fire Services is under the jurisdiction of the Delhi state government.

A short circuit is believed to have caused the fire in the early morning hours. The victims were migrant labourers from the neighbouring states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Bengal.

Dozens of ambulances and fire engines were pressed into service. Though the people were all praise for the firemen who managed to rescue about 40-50 people from the building, a lot of people have criticised the city government after noticing these rescuers were short of supportive facilities i.e. ambulances, congested area, etc.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in mourning and conveyed their condolences to the families of the victims.

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