GREATER NOIDA — Two firefighters lost their lives and three others sustained injuries after a structural collapse trapped them during a high-stakes firefighting operation at an electronics manufacturing plant in Greater Noida, officials confirmed on Tuesday morning.
The incident took place during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday at ILGIM Company, an electronic chip manufacturing facility situated in the Ecotech-3 industrial area under the jurisdiction of Ecotech-3 Police Station.
According to preliminary reports, a massive fire erupted inside the factory premises late Monday night. Upon receiving an emergency call, local police personnel and emergency fire tenders rushed to the scene to extinguish the rising flames.
After hours of intense efforts, emergency crews successfully brought the main inferno under control. However, during the final stages of the operation, a side wall of the factory along with a heavy iron beam suddenly buckled and collapsed, crushing several responders under the heavy debris.
Fatalities and Casualties Reported
Five personnel from the fire services were immediately extracted from the rubble in critical condition and rushed to a nearby medical facility.
Medical officials subsequently confirmed that Fireman Rohit Yadav and Chief Constable Driver Teerathpal Singh succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.
Three other injured firefighters—identified as Chief Constable Driver Rajpal Singh, Fireman Manish Kumar, and Fireman Amit Kumar—are currently receiving specialized medical care. Doctors confirmed that all three are in stable condition and out of danger.
Rescue Operations and Investigation Underway
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) alongside senior police officials reached the spot to secure the perimeter, oversee clearing operations, and conduct a preliminary structural assessment of the damaged building.
Authorities have cordoned off the area to prevent further mishaps due to the compromised integrity of the structure.
"Senior police officials and an SDRF team are present at the site. The debris is being examined, and authorities have initiated a comprehensive probe to determine the exact cause of the fire," said Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Pradeep Kumar Chaubey.
A high-level investigation has been launched to determine the origin of the blaze as well as the safety compliance measures at the manufacturing unit. A separate technical inquiry will look into the circumstances surrounding the structural failure that led to the fatal collapse.
