17 killed in Bawana fire, NDMC Mayor tells aide not to speak on factory licensing

BJP leader and North Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Preeti Aggarwal was caught on camera on Saturday night, asking her aide not to speak on factory licensing after 17 people were killed and two injured in a massive blaze at a firecracker storage unit in outer Delhi's Bawana industrial area.

The fire, which started at the storage unit on the ground floor of a two-storey building, ripped through the structure.

Ten women and seven men were killed, and a man and woman were injured who have been admitted to a hospital.

"The licensing of this factory is with us, that's why we cannot say anything (iss factory ki licensing hamare paas hai isliye hum kuch nahi bol sakte), the mayor Preeti Aggarwal can be heard whispering to her aide in a video before addressing to media.

#WATCH: In the aftermath of Bawana factory fire, BJP leader & North Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Preeti Aggarwal caught on cam telling her aide, 'iss factory ki licensing hamare paas hai isliye hum kuch nahi bol sakte.' The incident has claimed 17 lives. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/zXfVjNADl2

— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2018

Meanwhile, the owner of the building Manoj Jain been apprehended by the police in connection with the incident.

However, reacting to the development, BJP leader Manoj Tiwari said, "Preeti Aggarwal asked whom does the factory come under, it's murmuring, only 'ye factory' is clear. People are trying to make that fake video viral at a sad time just to blame BJP. CM re tweeted it, he must apologise for such low-level politics in time of despair."

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal visited Bawana fire tragedy site, announces compensation of Rs 5 lakh rupees to the kin of the deceased in the incident, probe ordered. An FIR has been filed.

There was a massive protest by people as Kejriwal reached the hospital and some even sat in front of the CM’s car.

As Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal reaches Bawana factory, people protest and try to block his car @dna @DelhiPolice @LtGovDelhi @CPDelhi pic.twitter.com/Avjr4pskO8

— Sakshi Chand (@sakshichand8) January 20, 2018

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish at the death of people in the fire. "My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. May those who are injured recover quickly," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted quoting Modi.

The Delhi government has ordered an inquiry into the blaze even as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he was keeping a "close watch" on the rescue operations.

"V(ery) sad to hear abt large no of casualties. Keeping a close watch on rescue operations," he said in a tweet.

Delhi Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain said an inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda also directed his Health Secretary to provide immediate assistance to victims and also asked AIIMS’ trauma centre to be on alert.