Five casualties were reported in a major fire in a perfume manufacturing factory, NR Aroma Aromatic, located at Jharmajri of the Baddi-Barotiwala industrial area in Solan district on Friday.

The police have launched a massive search for nine individuals reported missing following the fire. As per the investigation, altogether 85 persons were in the factory when the fire broke out. Currently, 30 individuals are admitted to various hospitals for treatment of injuries.

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Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ashok Kumar on Saturday said, “Four bodies were recovered today. There have been five casualties in the fire so far, all of whom were women workers in the factory. One body was recovered yesterday. Out of the five, four have been identified.”

An official spokesperson of the police said, “Keeping in mind the gravity of the incident, the preliminary findings, and after visiting the spot, the Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP), Sanjay Kundu, has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.”

The SIT includes the Additional Superintendent of Police, Ashok Verma, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Khazana Ram, and the Station House Officer of Barotiwala, SI Sanjay Sharma.

An FIR has been registered at the Police Station Barotiwala under sections 285 (Negligent conduct concerning fire or combustible matter), 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code in this regard.

The police have arrested the plant head of NR Aroma, Chander Shekhar, in connection with the incident.

The Himachal Pradesh Police has appealed to the people to immediately contact the Police Control Room on coming across any information regarding the missing individuals.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is currently assessing the structural safety of the site and working to clear it of hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, and sulphur dioxide.

After obtaining clearance, an HP Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team will conduct a spot inspection and collect necessary evidence. Given the complex nature of the fire, the DGP has requested the state government to seek assistance from the Central Forensic Science Team, the police official said.

The SIT will visit the site to collect evidence and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident, he added.

“The Himachal Pradesh Police assures the public that the investigation will be conducted professionally and that every effort will be made to provide justice to the affected parties,” DGP Kundu said.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the deaths in the devastating fire. He directed the district administration to inquire into the incident and provide all possible assistance to the affected families.