Fire breaks out at Pakistan gurdwara

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 17

A fire broke out at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in the Pakistani city of Hasan Abdal yesterday, but no loss of life was reported.

According to information, the incident occurred on Wednesday evening at the gurdwara’s ancient diwan hall, but the exact cause of fire was yet to be ascertained.

Sources say as the renovation work was on, the blankets placed nearby caught wire due to a spark from the welding machine. Another assumption was short-circuit, which engulfed the materials kept around. However, the fire was soon brought under control, causing minor damage to the gurdwara property.

Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) former president Mastan Singh said due to short-circuit, a UPS system caught fire. Consequently, the beddings lying nearby and other material got burnt. The damaged portion would be repaired soon, he said.

Meanwhile, SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal has expressed grief over the incident. DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa has appealed to the gurdwara management and local administration to restore the historic structure. “The 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak is approaching and devotees from all over the globe will come to pay obeisance at the gurdwara. It needs to be repaired before time,” he added.

Reason unknown 

Though the exact reason is yet to be ascertained, sources say sparking from a welding machine triggered fire in blankets placed in Gurdwara Panja Sahib's ancient diwan hall. According to another assumption, short-circuit is the reason behind it. No loss of life has been reported. DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa has urged the gurdwara management for the structure’s restoration.