Zirakpur (Gurpreet Singh): A major fire broke out late Sunday night at a marriage palace located on the Zirakpur–Panchkula road, triggering panic among guests attending a wedding function. The incident occurred around 10:30 PM at Aura Garden Marriage Palace, allegedly after firecrackers used during the celebrations fell on decorative material. According to eyewitnesses, two wedding functions were underway at the time one at Aura Garden and another at the adjoining Sekhon Banquet Hall. While the wedding ceremony at Sekhon Banquet was in progress, preparations were still on at Aura Garden when the flames suddenly erupted.
Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly due to decorations made of paper and cloth, quickly engulfing the stage area and kitchen. Guests and staff ran for safety as the fire intensified. The high flames and thick smoke led to a traffic jam on the Zirakpur–Shimla highway as people gathered near the site. Fire tenders from Zirakpur, Dera Bassi and Panchkula were rushed to the spot. Jaswant Singh, Incharge of the Zirakpur Fire Brigade, said the department received the call around 10:30 PM and deployed five fire tenders to control the blaze. “The fire was massive, but our teams managed to prevent it from spreading further.
There was no loss of life,” he said. DSP Zirakpur (IPS) Gazalpreet Kaur informed that police teams immediately reached the location after receiving information. SHO Simarjit Singh Shergill of Dhakoli Police Station, who was stationed nearby, was among the first to respond. Guests and staff from both marriage venues were safely evacuated. Preliminary investigation indicates that firecrackers may have triggered the blaze, though the exact cause is under probe. The Aura Garden palace was completely gutted, while the adjacent Sekhon Banquet sustained minor damage. Officials confirmed that there were no casualties, but property loss is estimated to be substantial. The fire was brought under control after a joint operation by the police and fire brigade that lasted several hours. Prompt action by the authorities helped avert a major tragedy. Fire officers are further inquiring about the exact cause.
