National Times Bureau :- Ludhiana witnessed a major fire on Wednesday at a residential building near the petrol pump street in Bharat Nagar Chowk, causing panic among residents and passersby. The blaze began on the ground floor and quickly spread to the upper levels, prompting an urgent evacuation.
Initial reports indicate that thick smoke was first seen emanating from one room before spreading to an adjacent room. Neighbors quickly alerted the family and assisted in their evacuation before the fire could escalate.
All family members were safely rescued by local residents before the fire grew uncontrollable. The fire department dispatched three fire tenders, and crews brought the blaze under control after more than an hour of firefighting efforts.
Eyewitnesses suspect that a short circuit might have sparked the fire, although authorities are yet to confirm this. Firefighters also evacuated nearby homes as a precaution, fearing that the densely packed buildings could allow the flames to spread further.
Rajat Chopra, the homeowner, told officials that the ground floor was being used to store thread and hosiery materials, which may have accelerated the fire. “When the fire reached the thread stock, it spread rapidly across the entire floor. We had to call for help immediately,” he said.
By the time the fire services arrived, the flames had reached the first floor. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far, though the extent of property damage is still being assessed.
Local police and fire officials are investigating the incident to determine the exact cause and check for any safety violations. Traffic around the busy chowk was temporarily diverted as a precaution.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns about fire safety and electrical hazards in residential areas where commercial materials are stored, particularly in densely populated urban neighborhoods like Bharat Nagar in Ludhiana.
