Major Fire Erupts in Ghaziabad Factories, 12-Hour Operation Extinguishes Blaze
A devastating fire, suspected to be caused by a short circuit, completely gutted two factories in the Kotwali area of Ghaziabad on Thursday night, according to fire department officials. The intense blaze required a grueling 12-hour firefighting operation to bring under control, with cooling procedures still ongoing at the scene.
Swift Response Prevents Casualties and Further Damage
Chief Fire Officer Rahul Pal confirmed that no casualties were reported in the incident, which began around 8:56 PM on Thursday when the Kotwali fire station received an emergency alert. The fire had broken out at Arvind Chemicals Paint Factory and Saral Scrap, both located near Meerut Road.
Initial response teams from Kotwali and Vaishali fire stations dispatched four fire engines to tackle the rapidly spreading flames. "Upon reaching the spot, the teams observed the fire was spreading rapidly," Pal told reporters. "Thick black smoke was obstructing visibility and dousing operations."
Structural Collapse and Chemical Hazards Complicate Firefighting
The situation escalated dangerously when the intense heat caused the tin shed structure of one factory to collapse completely, preventing direct water access to the fire source. A side wall had also collapsed, requiring firefighters to break and remove sections of the factory wall and tin shed to continue operations.
The crisis intensified further when flames reached drums containing highly flammable chemicals, prompting authorities to call for additional reinforcements. Firefighting units from Sahibabad, Modinagar, Loni, Noida, Hapur, and Meerut joined the operation, bringing the total deployment to 20 fire vehicles.
Coordinated Effort Saves Nearby Factories
Despite the challenging conditions, the coordinated firefighting effort proved successful in containing the blaze. "The team's swift action prevented damage to at least five to six nearby factories," Pal emphasized, highlighting how the massive response prevented what could have been an even more catastrophic industrial fire.
The fire department's extensive operation demonstrates the critical importance of rapid response and resource coordination when dealing with industrial fires involving hazardous materials. While the exact cause remains under investigation, the suspected short circuit serves as a reminder of the fire risks present in manufacturing facilities.
