An unidentified Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official told the news agency that a call about the incident was received at 5.25 pm on Thursday
At least 22 fire-tenders were pressed into service, post the initial call.
A team from the Alipur police station reached spot and saw that fire had spread to a number of other buildings adjacent to the paint factory including a de-addiction centre where six people were trapped.
According to the Delhi Police, the fire was preceded by a blast, probably caused by chemicals kept in the factory.
All the bodies are charred and the deceased haven’t been identified yet. One of the deceased is a female, police sources confirmed.
Due to the blast, some nearby houses and shops also caught fire. Some of the injured persons were residing in those places, news agency PTI reported.
Three people from neighbouring buildings sustained injuries and were sent to Lok Nayak Hospital for treatment, police said.
The blaze was brought under control by 9 pm, the fire official said, adding that the cooling-off operation is underway.
Delhi Police have registered a case under section 304 of the Indian Penal Code.
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