Bhatia Crockery House gutted on Diwali night

A devastating fire reduced Bhatia Crockery House, located in the congested Bazar Bansanwala of Phagwara, to ashes late on Diwali night. The blaze, which reportedly broke out around 10:40 pm, raged for several hours and could be seen from a distance, creating panic in the densely populated market.

More than 40 fire tenders from Phagwara and adjoining towns were pressed into service and battled the inferno for over six hours, working tirelessly through the night to bring the flames under control. Despite their efforts, the building suffered extensive damage. Preliminary reports suggest that waste cardboard stored on the fourth-floor rooftop might have caught fire, possibly from a stray firecracker or due to a short-circuit. However, the exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

The owner of Bhatia Crockery House has suffered massive losses, estimated in lakhs of rupees. The power supply to the area remained suspended throughout the night as a safety measure, adding to the difficulties of fire-fighting operations. The incident has again raised concerns about fire safety in the congested commercial areas, especially during festive celebrations when the use of fireworks is widespread.