LUDHIANA: A major fire was reported in a garment showroom in Model Town at Char Khamba Road on Friday morning, sending panic waves among nearby shopkeepers and residents of the area. Besides operational difficulties, the fire brigade came face to face with the mob problem as massive flames drew a large of uncontrolled spectators. Even police failed to keep them away from the danger zone that ultimately hindered the fire control exercise.
Six fire tenders were pressed into service to douse flames at Lucky Towel House. The fire had broken out at around 10am following short circuit in the wires, which were being repaired.
The workers in the showroom tried to douse the flames themselves, but the fire spread to other parts in the building in a few minutes. The fire officials received the fire call at around 10.30am and they reached the site in 15-20 minutes. But by that time, all three floors of the showroom were up in flames.
Fire station officer Maninder Singh said, “Flames had spread in the entire showroom and nothing was visible inside due to thick smoke. We started dousing the flames from outside and then reached the upper floors gradually. The fire tenders were being called from central fire station and Gill Road fire station as no other source of water supply was available nearby.” He claimed that they had to create space for the smoke to come out. Thick smoke had spread in the area. Fire which was controlled at one point of time started again. Fire fighters had a tough time as it was difficult to breathe properly outside.
The fire officials claimed that there was no arrangement of water hydrants inside the showroom which should have been done on priority. Though fire extinguishers were there, those were of little help in controlling the fire. As a precaution, adjoining shopkeeper had started to vacate his showroom.
Sub-fire officer Navrang Singh said fire was controlled by 2 pm and fire tenders made at least 18 rounds to refill water.
Mayor Balkar Sandhu and MC zonal commissioners Jasdev Sekhon and Neeraj Jain visited the spot.
