Goods worth lakhs reduced to ashes in textile godown fire
Nikhil Bhardwaj
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, May 17
The godown of a mill, Saluja Textiles, was gutted in a major fire which broke out on the business premises on Rahon road here today.
The loss is suspected to be in several lakhs. The cause of fire is yet to be ascertained.
Fire officials said the fire broke out around 10.30 am when the factory staff noticed smoke billowing out from the godown. Within half an hour, fire tenders reached the spot to douse the flame.
The mill, which is operational in a multi-storey building, has been manufacturing garments and yarn. The ground floor was used to store the finished products and, while upper floors were being used to manufacture fabric. Huge stock that was lying in the godown has been reduced to ashes.
Due to lack of fire-safety arrangements in the factory, fire could not be controlled at the early stage.
Assistant Divisional Fire Officer (ADFO) Surjit Singh said the factory lacked fire-safety measures due to which fire engulfed the entire godown. “We noticed some fire extinguishers in the factory, but they were outdated. There was no arrangement of water in the factory due to which fire tenders had to return to the fire office for refilling. We will issue a notice to the factory owner and will seek explanation for the poor safety arrangements,” said the ADFO.
Fire officials said around 25 fire tenders were used till 5pm and fire was doused completely in the late evening.
Investigating Officer, ASI Jagdev Singh, Meharban police station, said when the fire erupted in the office, only a minimal number of factory employees were present. “The staff had escaped when the fire started, so no one was injured in the mishap.”
Past incidents
May 11: Fire took place at Malika Textiles in the Industrial Area. Four firemen had sustained serious burn injuries.
April 26: Fire at a yarn mill in the Industrial Area. Three died and one was injured.
April 29: Fire at hosiery unit in Daulat Colony.
April 30: Major fire in a cycle parts manufacturing unit on Gill Road.
May 1: Fire at Parmeshwari Silk Mills Limited at Rahon Road
May 5: Major fire at chemical factory near Cheema Chowk. Two factories and 5 godowns were gutted.
May 5: Fire at a vacant land on Ferozepur Road. Stock of wooden blocks turned into ashes.
May 7: Fire at a dyeing unit in the Industrial Area A Extension.
