A massive fire engulfed the Shri Ram Agro Factory, owned by BJP leader and Haryana Traders Welfare Board Vice Chairperson Satish Gupta, on Meerut Road in Karnal on Saturday. Thick black smoke billowed from the premises, visible from several kilometres away. Factory employees initially attempted to control the blaze, but flames intensified rapidly.
Police and fire brigade were immediately alerted and arrived at the scene. Firefighters launched a rescue and firefighting operation to prevent the fire from spreading further. Their swift action brought the blaze under control before additional damage could occur. No casualties were reported due to the prompt response of the fire department. However, the incident caused extensive financial loss to the owner.
Evacuation and Chemical Drum Removal Avert Explosion
The fire created panic among workers, who were safely evacuated from the premises. A major risk was the presence of chemical drums inside the factory. Workers and rescue personnel managed to remove the drums in time, preventing a potential explosion or more serious accident. As a precaution, one side of Meerut Road was temporarily closed, and a nearby petrol pump was also shut down to ensure public safety.
Investigation Underway, Damage Assessment Pending
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Authorities are investigating whether it resulted from a short circuit or another source. The extent of the damage is yet to be assessed, but officials believe losses could run into lakhs or even crores of rupees. Further action will be taken based on the factory owner's complaint after the investigation is completed.
Senior Officials Visit Site, Assure Assistance
Given the seriousness of the incident, Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand, Deputy Commissioner Dr Anand Kumar Sharma, and Superintendent of Police Narender Bijarniya visited the factory to assess the situation. They met the factory owner and assured all possible assistance from the administration.
MLA Anand stated that the timely action of the administration helped contain the fire and prevented any loss of life. DC Dr Sharma described the incident as unfortunate but expressed relief that the fire was brought under control in time, ensuring no casualties. He said the extent of damage would be assessed and that all permissible government assistance would be provided to the factory management.
DC Sharma also appealed to industrialists and residents to strictly follow fire safety norms. He urged owners of industrial and commercial establishments to keep firefighting equipment in proper working condition and ensure compliance with all safety standards to prevent such incidents in the future.
