A fire broke out at the Shreeji International Export Shoe Manufacturing factory in Agra on May 24, 2002. The fire started when employees were transferring flammable adhesive from large containers due to negligent smoking, causing an explosion. Over 300 employees were trapped as the fire quickly spread due to a lack of firefighting equipment and a locked exit gate. Fire services from Agra and surrounding districts rescued around 250-300 people but 44 employees died in the fire. The fire was controlled after extensive firefighting efforts spanning several days.