Major Fire Engulfs Ludhiana Hosiery Unit, Workers Escape in Panic
A major fire broke out at a hosiery unit in Ludhiana's Deep Nagar area on Thursday afternoon. The incident triggered widespread panic among workers and local residents. Flames erupted between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM, sending people scrambling for safety.
Workers' Narrow Escape and Rescue Efforts
Several workers had a narrow escape from the blazing building. They managed to run out just in time. Many workers were sitting outside after their lunch break when they suddenly noticed smoke and flames rising from the unit.
Panic ensued immediately. Workers rushed out to safety. During the chaos, one worker realized a colleague was still trapped inside. Brave workers re-entered the burning unit and successfully rescued him.
Two workers lost consciousness after inhaling smoke while trying to exit. Colleagues rushed them for medical treatment. Doctors declared both workers out of danger after prompt care.
Firefighting Challenges and Structural Concerns
Fire brigade teams responded quickly to the emergency. Multiple fire tenders reached the spot to control the blaze. Firefighters faced significant challenges due to the building's structure.
Leading fireman Rajinder Kumar explained the difficulties. "The exact cause remains unknown as we haven't gathered detailed information yet," he stated. "When we arrived, flames had already engulfed large portions of the building."
Another fire official revealed concerning details. The building was originally an old house converted into a factory. Multiple internal partitions made firefighting operations particularly difficult.
"This structural layout hampered our ability to control the blaze quickly," the official emphasized. He added that hosiery units should not operate in predominantly residential localities like this one.
Residents' Accounts and Damage Assessment
Nearby residents reported terrifying scenes. Flames were clearly visible from windows on upper floors. Windowpanes began cracking due to intense heat, adding to the pandemonium.
People feared the fire would spread to adjoining houses. The blaze concentrated mainly on the second and third floors. Fortunately, the ground and first floors remained relatively safe.
Firefighters employed strategic methods to douse the flames. They began operations from the terrace of a neighboring building before entering the unit directly. Residents claimed the building started developing cracks during firefighting efforts.
Fire tenders made more than fifty rounds before finally controlling the blaze. Officials remained on site to ensure complete extinguishment. Material, goods, and machinery stored on upper floors suffered extensive damage.
Ludhiana's Recurring Hosiery Fire Problem
This incident highlights a persistent issue in Ludhiana. Fires in hosiery units occur frequently here. Multiple factors contribute to this dangerous pattern.
Lack of proper fire safety measures creates constant risks. Narrow alleys in many areas make firefighting operations exceptionally difficult. These conditions have led to several similar incidents recently.
In January 2025, a massive fire destroyed a hosiery waste godown on Tibba Road. Firefighters needed six hours to control that blaze. Fortunately, no injuries occurred.
November 2025 saw another major fire on Tibba Road. A large stock of hosiery waste caught fire in Mayapuri. Highly flammable materials caused rapid flame spread. Fire tenders took three hours to douse that fire.
September 2025 brought a hosiery garment shop fire in Old Madhopuri. The blaze intensified due to large garment stocks on both floors. Since the shop was closed, no casualties resulted.
April 2025 witnessed a series of three consecutive fire incidents. One involved hosiery waste stored in an open Shakti Nagar plot. Firefighters controlled that blaze in about two hours.
Despite the extensive damage in Thursday's fire, authorities confirmed no loss of life. This fortunate outcome resulted from quick worker responses and timely fire brigade intervention. The incident underscores urgent needs for improved fire safety measures in Ludhiana's industrial areas.
