Multi-storey building gutted in major fire at Field Ganj

A major fire broke out in a multi-storey building in Field Ganj on Thursday night. Stocks of garment and other stuff related to upcoming festivals reduced to ashes. Since the shop was located in a densely populated market, firemen faced a tough time in dousing the flames. Only a small fire tender could enter the market. Big fire tenders were stationed on the road and a long water pipe was used to control the blaze.

Goldy Chawla, owner of the shop, said on Thursday night, he had closed the shop. Around 12.30 am, he got a call from his sister staying in Jalandhar who informed him that a fire has broken out in the shop. As he had left his mobile inside the shop on Thursday night, he could not get immediate information as shopkeepers in the area had been calling him to inform about the fire. Later, one of the shopkeepers informed his sister.

“I have kept a huge stock of garments in all three floors. Recently, I bought a stock of rakhis worth Rs 7 lakhs. Even a big amount of cash was also lying in the shop. Everything gutted in the fire. Even walls of the shop developed cracks, causing major damage to the building. We have lost everything we gathered in decades of struggle,” he said.

A shopkeeper said over 15 fire tenders were used to douse the flames in more than four hours.

A fire official said the main shutter was locked when firemen reached the scene. They had to uproot the shutter to make a way into into the shop. Stock was kept everywhere in the shop, even on stairs. A short-circuit was said to be the reason of the fire that started from the ground floor and later engulfed the entire building.

Electricity supply in the area got snapped due to the blaze, which was restored in the morning.