Massive fire guts printing press in Greater Noida’s Ecotech 3, losses estimated at ₹1.5 cr

A massive fire broke out at a printing press in Ecotech 3, Greater Noida around 5 am on Monday and the fire department took nearly 14 hours to control the flames.

No one was injured in the incident as workers were not present on the press premises in the early hours.

According to the police, the incident took place at the factory unit of Brijwasi Art Press Limited in Udyog Vihar in Ecotech 3 area.

“The factory was closed as it was a Sunday and the fire took place in the early hours of Monday. It looks as if the incident was the result of a short circuit. We are yet to analyse the total loss. We will be registering an FIR with the local police. We are happy that no human life was harmed in the incident,” said Apurv Garg, owner of the factory.

A security guard on duty at the factory first heard the loud blasts, before flames erupted.

He then informed the police who then immediately alerted the fire department.

“We were informed about the fire around 5.25am by the police patrolling van. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot immediately. The fire destroyed around 90% of the factory, including all the machinery. It took us around 14 hours to control the fire,” said Shesh Nath Yadav, fire safety officer, Ecotech 3 fire station.

He said 18 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and some of them were called in from neighbouring Ghaziabad district.

According to the officials, as the factory was a printing press the premises had huge stocks of paper, which, in turn, caused the fire to spread through the whole building and all the more difficult to douse.

“The factory occupies four acres of land. We publish children books meant for export at the factory.The fire has caused us a loss of around ₹1.50 crore. We will need to invest the same amount again come up with the same set up,” Apurv said.