Week after fire notice, crockery store gutted in Industrial Area
Chandigarh, July 27
A week after being served a notice by the Fire Department, a major fire broke out at a crockery store in the Industrial Area, Phase II, this morning.
Past incidents of major blaze
- June 2024: A fire broke out in a company, which had been served a notice for violations
- September 2023: Eight cars got burnt in the fire that broke out in a Toyota showroom at the Industrial Area, Phase I
- July 2023: Two girls died of asphyxiation and three were injured after a fire broke out in the basement of an electrical parts manufacturing unit in the Industrial Area, Phase II
- October 2022: A massive fire broke out at a liquor factory in the Industrial Area, Phase I
According to the department, they received a call regarding a fire at Bhagwati Crockery Store at 10:40 am. It is believed frequent MCB tripping caused short-circuit, which led to the fire on the first floor of the store. Goods socked on the floor were destroyed. The extent of loss is yet to be assessed.
A total of 20 fire engines were pressed into service and the fire could be controlled by 1:30 pm. The complete operation, which involved removing thick smoke from the store, lasted till 7 pm.
A fireman said before fire brigade arrived at the spot, the staff of the store reportedly tried to douse the flames with fire extinguishers. They informed the fire wing only when the situation went out of control.
The firemen first evacuated all employees from the building. They had a tough time carrying out rescue operations due blocked passage and thick smoke. They had to make a hole in the wall adjoining a vacant plot at the back to gain entry into the store.
The firemen ensured that the fire did not spread to the ground floor as well the adjoining crockery store.
Racks kept on the passage made movement difficult for the firefighters.
Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, a fire wing official said, “We had issued them a notice a week ago. We had asked them to have a water tanker, fire sensors, alarm, sprinklers, smoke detectors and hydrants at the store. They had just started meeting these requirements before the mishap happened.” A team of the fire wing will inspect the spot tomorrow and again list shortcomings.
