Ludhiana: Major fire breaks out at scrap godown, shop on Gill Road

Ludhiana, July 26

A major fire broke out in a scrap godown and a shop on Gill Road here this morning. Fire personnel took hours to douse the flames. Since the blaze was intense, it created panic among owners of other factories located in the area.

Some residents claimed that a minor fire had already started on Thursday night but smoke was noticed this morning only, following which the fire brigade was called.

Initially, the godown owner, along with others, had also tried to douse the flames at their own level but in vain. Even shed and walls of the godown were also collapsed.

As per information, the fire authorities received a call around 7 am from some resident. The blaze was so intense that when fire tenders reached the scene, the fire had already engulfed the entire godown.

Meanwhile, it further spread to the adjoining shop where a huge stock of machine tools were stored, which were also gutted in the fire. The shopkeeper had blamed the godown owner for the losses.

Fire officials said the scrap godown was located in a congested area due to which they faced difficulty in controlling the situation. There was no fire safety arrangements at the godown.

They said about three years ago, a fire incident had occurred in the same godown, following which a dispute among the owner and a bank had started. The godown was also lying closed for the past few months due to the ongoing dispute. No person was available at the godown due to the same.

A fireman, Rajinder Singh, said a short-circuit could be the cause of the fire but exact cause was yet to be identified.

Meanwhile, another fire incident occurred at a shop in Gandhi Nagar but it was controlled soon. — TNS

No fire safety arrangements

Fire officials said the scrap godown was located in a congested area due to which they faced difficulty in controlling the situation. There was no fire safety arrangements at the godown.