Major fire breaks out in Ambala mandi

ibune News Service

Ambala, July 14

A major fire broke out in the grain market here on Sunday morning, destroying stocks of wheat and maize, gunny bags, and a truck. No causalities were reported.

Around 4.20 am, guards at the grain market noticed sparking and smoke in shed number 3. They tried to douse the flames with the help of fire extinguishers but, seeing the fire spreading rapidly, they called up the fire brigade.

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Hafed officials say more than 2,500 bales of gunny bags (a bale consists of 500 bags), 20 quintals of maize, 1,700 tonnes of wheat and a truck were destroyed. The loss would run into crores but

Hafed District Manager VP Malik said “Short-circuit is suspected to be the reason behind the incident. The loss is yet to be ascertained. A case will be registered at the Ambala City police station.”

Fire brigade officials faced inconvenience in putting out fire as there was only one water filling point nearby and it took nearly half an hour to refill one fire tender. But continuous rainfall aided fire officials to some extent.

Fire officer Dilip Kumar said, “Four fire tenders from Ambala City, two each from Ambala Cantt and Naraingarh, and one each from Kaithal, Kurukshetra and the army station were pressed into service.”

Earthmoving machines were also deployed in the operation. It took about 11 hours to douse the flames.

After getting information, Municipal Corporation Joint Commissioner Satinder Siwach and Malik reached the spot.

The destruction

2,500 bales of gunny bags

1,700 tonnes  of wheat

20 quintals  of maize