Paint store, godowns go up in flames

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 12

A major fire broke out at a paint store near Manju Cinema around 2 pm here today.

Thinner and chemicals kept in the shops and godowns worsened the situation as flames went out of control and spread to nearby godowns and shops.

The fire brigade team led by senior fire officials reached on the spot. Ten fire tenders made 50 rounds to douse the flames. The firefighters had a tough time controlling the fire as water was ineffective on thinner and chemicals spread there.

Moreover, when the chemical drained into the sewerage, it produced smoke and gas. Also, cracks emerged in the manholes.

Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria and senior police officials visited the spot.

According to the information, there are two shops named Friends Paint and Amber Paint, which belong to two brothers. They have godowns at the back of the shops where they had kept the chemicals and thinner.

Around 2 pm, a massive fire broke out in Friends Paint shop following which workers tried to douse flames, but soon the thinner lying in the shop caught fire too. Paint and other material lying in the shop were gutted in the fire within a few minutes. Soon, the flames spread in nearby shops and godowns. Fire engulfed hardware goods, chemicals and vehicles parked outside the shop. However, workers had a narrow escape.

Some blasts were also reported in the godowns due to which roofs of the shops fell down. Taking precautionary measures, the fire brigade team vacated several nearby shops.

District Fire Officer Bhupinder Singh informed that the situation was under control and it would take a few more hours to douse the flames completely.