Major fire at house-cum-factory

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 3

A major fire broke out in a house-cum-herbal products manufacturing unit at Upkar Nagar this evening. More than 12 fire engines were pressed into service. The firemen were on their toes when the reports last came in.

The factory, Herbal House HTI Experts, is owned by Dr Rajesh Thaper.

Srishti Nath, station fire officer, said the fire started around 4 pm. After the fire brigade was informed, fire engines immediately reached the spot.

He said chemicals were reportedly stored in the house-cum-factory due to which the fire could not be controlled easily. Since there were no fire-fighting arrangements at the unit, the employees failed to control the fire at the initial stage.

He said seven firemen had a close shave when there was a blast in the burning house. He had asked the factory owner if there was any cylinder or inflammable chemical lying inside the unit. Had the firemen stood close to the point where the blast took place, they would have suffered serious injuries. “The exact cause of fire is still unknown,” he added.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Sartaj also inspected the spot to know the cause of fire.

Panic among residents

Since the factory is situated in the residential area, residents living around the unit were in a state of panic. A restaurant adjoining to the unit was got emptied by the police as a precautionary measure. No major loss to the restaurant building was reported.