Chance Decisions Saved Some Workers While Others Perished in Mangolpuri Factory Fire

According to reports published on Saturday, October 31, 2026, four people died and two others were injured following a massive fire at a shoe factory in Phase 1 of the Mangolpuri Industrial Area in Delhi. The incident occurred at around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026. Police and fire tender teams reached the location upon receiving information and initiated rescue operations.

Narrow Escapes Through Spontaneous Choices

Survivors and relatives recounted how minor, last-minute decisions made around dinner time proved to be the difference between life and death.

• Vijay's Skipped Shift: Vijay, a worker with nearly 20 years of experience at the factory, was scheduled for a double shift on Friday night. After returning home for dinner, he did not feel like returning and chose to sleep instead.
• Putan Chaurasiya's Trip Home: Putan Chaurasiya walked about 500 metres to his home for dinner, escaping the blaze, while his close friend and co-worker Harihar Chaurasiya stayed at the factory.

Fatal Decisions on Dinner Locations

For others, staying behind or eating inside the premises tragically placed them in harm's way.

• Harihar Chaurasiya: Also known as Pinto, Harihar stayed at the factory because his 12-year-old son brought him food from home minutes before the accident. Relatives noted that his last words to his son were to return home safely before it got late.
• Ashok: The 25-year-old ordered dinner from a nearby hotel and ate inside the factory while co-workers went out. According to his uncle Umesh Prasad, Ashok was speaking to his wife and two daughters on the phone when he noticed smoke, disconnected the call to rush down, and could not be reached thereafter.

Working Conditions and Investigation

Workers stated that while normal hours were generally from 9 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m., additional hours or double shifts were sometimes required during high demand periods, such as the festive season. Relatives and workers gathered near the mortuary at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Mangolpuri as authorities continued to handle the aftermath of the incident.