Firemen struggle to bring flames under control

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 16

More than 24 hours after a fire broke out in a garment godown located inside Sherawala Gate in the walled city area, the fire brigade was still fighting to control the flames.

Garment,estimated to be worth crores, is said to have been gutted and people residing behind the godown had become homeless on account of damage to their houses. They were forced to spend the night in the open outside their homes. Municipal Commissioner Sonali Giri also visited the spot today.

The godown belonged to Gullu Exclusive, a garment store located in Katra Jaimal Singh, a famous garment market, situated near the Golden Temple here. The fire brigade staff said more than 200 fire tenders had been used so far to extinguish the flames. However, dense smoke was coming out of the building which has become dangerous in view of the cracks that have appeared on the walls.

The fire brigade staff said fire tenders from Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Batala, Gurdaspur and Pathankot were summoned. Besides, fire tenders from the airport and the Indian Air Force were also used to douse the flames. They said the fire was under control though dense smoke was billowing out.

The fire tenders were still there in case the flames erupted again. The water cannons and the fire not only damaged the building but also the adjoining houses located behind the L-shaped godown. There was no provision for fire extinguishers in the godown.

Sheetal, a resident, said her house had been completely damaged due to the fire and the family members were spending sleepless nights outside in the chilly weather conditions. The entire household items have been gutted, she added.

The residents alleged that during the construction of the godown, they had lodged numerous complaints with the MC authorities, but they turned a blind eye to their plight. Questions were also being raised over the legality of the building.