Fire at Jammu-Katra Expressway construction plant near Kapurthala, loss pegged at Rs 2 crore
Blaze suspected to be caused by electrical short circuit; police launch inquiry
A massive fire broke out on Tuesday night at a store of the Jammu-Katra Expressway construction plant near Khijarpur village, in the Talwandi Chaudhrian area of Kapurthala district, causing losses estimated at around Rs 2 crore.
Fire brigade teams rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control. Police personnel from Talwandi Chaudhrian police station also assisted in the firefighting operation.
Investigating officer ASI Balbir Singh said an inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the fire.
Mandeep Singh, store manager of SP Singla Construction Company, which is executing the expressway project, said the store had been closed and all lights switched off around 7 pm, with a security guard on duty. Around 8 pm, the guard noticed smoke coming out from the store and alerted him. By the time he reached the site, the fire had spread rapidly.
The store manager suspected a short circuit to be the cause of the fire. He added that the costly chemicals stored at the facility were completely destroyed, leading to substantial financial losses. Police said an investigation is under way and action will be taken based on the findings.
