Transformer catches fire in Panchkula’s Sector 8

A fire broke out in an electric transformer in Sector 8 this evening at 6.26 pm, triggering panic among local residents.

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A fire tender from Sector 5 Fire Station was immediately dispatched, but by the time it reached the location, the blaze had already self-extinguished.

According to sources from the fire station, this is not an isolated incident. Over the past three days, the city has witnessed a surge in fire emergencies involving transformers and electricity meters. Fire officials attribute the spike to rising ambient temperatures and increased electrical load, causing equipment to overheat and, in some cases, ignite.

“These transformers and portable generators are located barely 10 meters from residential buildings. It’s a ticking time bomb,” a concerned resident from Sector 8 said. Residents have expressed growing unease, citing the risk posed by poorly maintained and dangerously located power infrastructure.

Local residents have appealed to the authorities to urgently address the issue. “We fear a major tragedy if these systems continue operating unchecked in such close proximity to our homes,” said a resident representative. The incident has reignited calls for stricter safety audits and immediate relocation or shielding of high-risk electrical installations.

Residents of the area also complained that for three years they have been writing to the authorities and highlighting that transformers shouldn’t be at such close proximity to residential area.