City records 25 fire incidents
The Ludhiana Fire Department had a chaotic Diwali as they responded to 25 fire incidents on Thursday. Most of the cases were minor.
One of the major incidents occurred at the vegetable market near Bahadur Ke Road, where a massive fire engulfed a dump. Seven to eight fire tenders were deployed to douse the flames. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown but officials suspect that crackers may have sparked the blaze. Firemen took hours to control the situation.
Another significant incident occurred at a godown on Tibba Road where woollen waste was stored. The fire engulfed the entire material stored in the godown and also caused damage to adjacent buildings. Nearby residents were told to stay away from the area to ensure their safety.
In Prem Vihar, a vacant flat caught fire, with flames visible from road. Fortunately, no one was injured as the flat was unoccupied.
Some shanties in Focal Point, Jamalpur, and Bahadur Ke Road also caught fire due to crackers. Residents in Jamalpur held a protest, claiming that outsiders had burst crackers near their shanties, leading to the fire.
However, no casualties were reported in any of the incidents.
Fire incidents were also reported from various factories, open plots, houses, dump sites and vehicles.
Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Maninder Singh said the Fire Department would remain on high alert on Friday as well, anticipating more incidents due to the two-day Diwali celebrations.
He said their workload had doubled due to the festivities.
“The fire incidents are not that major but we have to be cautious. We have deployed staff strategically to ensure quick response in such circumstances. Even on Friday night, our staff will remain vigilant and will respond to the situation fast,” he said.
The Fire Department has urged residents to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines to prevent fires during the festive season.
Shanties caught fire
Some shanties in Focal Point, Jamalpur, and Bahadur Ke Road also caught fire due to crackers. Residents in Jamalpur held a protest, claiming that outsiders had burst crackers near their shanties, leading to the fire.
