At least eleven people died in a fire that broke out in a market area in capital New Delhi's Alipur district last evening. It erupted at a paint factory and engulfed two godowns and a de-addiction centre, Indian fire officials said, NDTV reported.

The burnt bodies of the 11 victims were found in the factory in Alipur's Dayalpur Market, officials said. Four people injured in the fire, including a cop, are undergoing treatment and two others are feared trapped.

"The fire got spread to an adjacent house and a Nasha Mukti Kendra [i.e. alcohol and drug rehabilitation center]. There was a blast due to which the building collapsed, trapping the 11 laborers who lost their lives. The bodies are completely burnt, making it difficult to identify them," said Atul Garg, Director of Delhi Fire Services.

He said the exact cause of the fire is not yet known and a search operation is on for the missing persons.

An explosion was heard at the factory before the fire broke out, and the officials suspect the blast occurred due to chemicals stored there.