A powerful wind-driven blaze swept through a government electricity compound in Doraha on Tuesday evening, igniting stockpiled power infrastructure and sending columns of toxic smoke over neighboring residential zones. The fire began in nearby trees before high winds pushed the flames into the switchyard of the state-run Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). The fire quickly intensified as it reached dozens of retired and active transformers, which were heavily laden with flammable oil.
Witness Accounts and Emergency Response
“The fire spread within minutes and went completely out of control,” said witness Sharanjit Singh of Majra village. Fire crews from Doraha, Samrala, and Ludhiana spent several hours battling the chemical-fueled blaze. First responders said the massive oil reserves inside the equipment had reignited repeatedly, complicating containment efforts. No injuries or deaths were reported.
PSPCL Official Admits Equipment Buildup
PSPCL executive engineer Daljit Singh acknowledged that a buildup of equipment had exacerbated the crisis, stating that an outside contractor had left a large number of oil-filled transformers piled in the yard for months. Authorities have launched an investigation into the exact cause of the fire and are currently assessing the structural damage to the regional grid network.
Local residents expressed concerns about air quality and potential health hazards from the toxic smoke. The incident has also raised questions about safety protocols at the facility and the management of decommissioned equipment.
