Back-to-back fire incidents in Ludhiana keep firefighters on toes

A relentless series of three consecutive fires kept city firefighters battling flames throughout Tuesday, each requiring nearly two hours to subdue. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported.

The first fire broke out around 9:50 am in an open lot in Shakti Nagar, filled with discarded hosiery scraps—highly flammable material that ignited rapidly. Though the exact cause remains unknown, firefighters warned of the dangers of storing such waste in open spaces, where even a minor spark can lead to disaster.

Five fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze. Mayor Inderjit Kaur, who visited the site, acknowledged the ongoing risk posed by exposed hosiery waste and promised increased public awareness efforts. Despite repeated assurances of regulatory action, the city continues to struggle with frequent hosiery waste fires due to unsafe storage practices.

Shortly after, at around 11:45 am, a tractor-trailer carrying dried straw caught fire near Ramgarh on Chandigarh Road. The fire started when the truck’s high load came in contact with overhead power lines, igniting the straw. The firefighters took two hours to douse the flames.

The third fire erupted at 12:25 pm in a warehouse behind Preet Palace market, where plastic waste and other discarded materials were ablaze. Firefighters acted swiftly to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby shops. The operation required five fire tenders and lasted approximately two hours.

Sub Fire Officer Aatish Rai confirmed the incidents, crediting the swift response of the Fire Department for preventing any injuries or major property damage. He urged citizens to follow fire safety regulations and avoid storing flammable materials in unsafe conditions.