At least 11 people have been killed and four injured an explosion and subsequent fire in a paint factory in outer Delhi’s Alipur area on Thursday evening.

The charred bodies of the 11 victims were recovered from the factory, which also houses chemical godowns, located in Alipur’s Dayalpur market, a Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official said, PTI reported.

The fire was preceded by a blast and soon it spread to nearby buildings, including a drug rehabilitation centre and eight shops. As the building collapsed after the explosion, the workers got trapped and could not get out.

The DFS official said a call about the fire was received at around 5:30 pm on Thursday and 22 fire tenders were pressed into service.

The blaze was brought under control by 9 pm, he said, adding that 11 charred bodies were recovered from the factory premises.

In a post on X, DFS chief Atul Garg said, “Despite best efforts by DFS, 11 labours died in a paint factory fire in Alipur area Delhi. Fire call was received @ 5.30 pm and 22 tenders were to the site but due to explosion building collapsed & workers trapped inside the factory and couldn’t not be saved. Very very unfortunate day.”

A police officer said it is suspected that the blast was caused by chemicals stored in the godowns, PTI reported.

The four injured people have been identified as Jyoti (42), Divya (20), Mohit Solanki (34), and police constable Karambir (35). They have been admitted to Raja Harish Chandra Hospital, the officer said.

The bodies have been kept at Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital and the process of identifying them is being carried out, police said.

(With inputs from PTI)