A fierce blaze erupted at a scrap storage facility in Ludhiana's Kanganwal industrial hub on Tuesday morning, causing extensive damage to heavy vehicles and blanketing the city skyline with dense black smoke. The incident, which began around 7:45 AM, prompted a swift emergency response but resulted in no human casualties or injuries, according to fire department officials.
Intense Firefighting Operation in Dense Industrial Zone
Fire tenders from the Focal Point station were the first to arrive at the scene, where they encountered an intense inferno fueled by industrial materials. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the initial crews immediately called for reinforcements. Over the next four hours, firefighters engaged in a grueling battle against extreme heat and poor visibility to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading to adjacent factories in the densely packed industrial area.
Property Damage and Strategic Containment
The fire primarily affected a section of the godown dedicated to transport vehicles. Officials confirmed that a large commercial truck and an oil tanker parked nearby were completely gutted in the blaze. However, a strategic containment line established by fire crews successfully protected a substantial stockpile of tires, which the owner reportedly used for oil extraction purposes. Security personnel and staff on-site managed to evacuate the premises safely before the main yard was engulfed.
Challenges Faced by Firefighters
Leading fireman Rajinder Kumar detailed the difficulties of the operation, which involved six fire tenders. "The temperature was so high that we felt the heat from a significant distance," he explained. "The thick black smoke reduced visibility to nearly zero, making it extremely challenging to reach the core of the fire." Initially, firefighters were forced to combat the blaze from behind perimeter walls due to intense thermal radiation.
Additional complications arose from crowds of onlookers who gathered to record the incident on their mobile phones. Officials noted that this created uncomfortable conditions for the emergency teams, potentially hampering their efforts. Despite these obstacles, the fire was brought under control within two hours, with cooling operations concluding around 12:30 PM.
Investigation and Aftermath
While the owner has not yet identified the source of the spark that ignited the fire, a formal investigation into the cause is anticipated. The incident highlights the ongoing fire safety challenges in industrial zones, particularly in densely populated areas like Kanganwal. Authorities are expected to review safety protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
