A significant fire engulfed a plastic factory in a residential area of Khanna on Sunday morning, prompting nearby residents to evacuate their homes and reigniting accusations of illegal industrial activities within the township.
Details of the Incident
The blaze, fueled by large quantities of flammable plastic materials, began around 7 a.m. on Kabza Factory Road. Multiple fire crews responded and managed to contain the flames before they could spread to adjacent houses. However, the incident has once again brought to the forefront local tensions over zoning regulations and public safety.
Residents reported seeing dense black smoke rising from the facility shortly after dawn. Firefighting efforts were complicated by the volatile nature of the stored raw materials, which accelerated the fire's spread through the structure. Local resident Shashi Vardhan remarked, "The factory is surrounded by family homes."
Fire department official Damanpreet stated that the emergency response was swift. Although the factory sustained extensive damage, no casualties were reported, and the site has been declared safe.
Zoning Dispute
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the community regarding the presence of hazardous industries in residential zones. Avtar Maurya, a neighbor, claimed that several factories operate in the area without legal permits and that repeated complaints to the municipal council have been ignored. The factory owner disputed these allegations, maintaining that the facility holds all necessary no-objection certificates (NOCs) and government permissions.
A Weekend of Industrial Chaos
The Khanna region is currently reeling from a series of industrial accidents. Sunday's fire follows a massive explosion on Saturday at a steel factory in nearby Bishanpura, which left seven women injured. These recurring incidents have placed local authorities under intense pressure to audit fire safety protocols and verify the legality of factories operating within densely populated areas.
