A suspected electrical short circuit triggered a devastating fire at a leather shop in Ludhiana's Ghumar Mandi on Saturday night, transforming an evening of pre-wedding shopping into a scene of chaos and destruction. The incident was followed by another major blaze at Baldev Electronics in Books Market on Sunday evening, raising serious concerns about fire safety in the city's densely packed commercial areas.
Ghumar Mandi Inferno: Leather Shop Gutted
The Ghumar Mandi fire erupted around 9 pm on Saturday and rapidly consumed the rental shop specializing in leather products including purses, wallets, and belts. The building owner, who resided in the upstairs residence, narrowly escaped with his family as flames engulfed the ground floor establishment.
Firefighters deployed four tenders to battle the challenging blaze, eventually bringing it under control after approximately one hour of intense effort. The rapid destruction prompted criticism from local shopkeepers about the fire brigade's response time, though officials defended their performance.
Controversy Over Response Time
Local merchants expressed frustration over what they perceived as delayed emergency response. "If they had reached the spot sooner, the fire could have been controlled in time," one shopkeeper stated.
However, leading fireman Rajinder Singh strongly refuted these allegations. "It was inevitable to take some time while passing through the city's traffic, but it did not take more than four minutes to reach the site," Singh asserted. He emphasized that the fire department had dispatched two fire tenders immediately upon receiving the call, with two additional units arriving shortly afterward.
Singh confirmed that firefighters had fully controlled the blaze within thirty minutes of their arrival and denied all allegations of delayed reaction.
Electrical Fault Suspected in Both Incidents
While the official cause remains under investigation, nearby shopkeepers suspect a short circuit triggered the Ghumar Mandi fire. They reported that electrical wiring work had been in progress during the day, and lights had been observed "tripping" prior to the blaze.
The shop owner and workers were present when the fire began and attempted to extinguish it themselves before a bystander eventually alerted the fire department. The incident highlights the significant fire risks in Ludhiana's crowded commercial hubs, particularly during high-traffic periods like the ongoing wedding season.
The fire crisis continued on Sunday evening when another intense blaze broke out at Baldev Electronics in Ludhiana's Books Market. The electronic materials shop became engulfed in flames, creating widespread panic and covering the area in thick black smoke.
Due to the presence of wires and electrical fittings, the fire quickly spread across all floors of the multi-story building, presenting severe challenges to firefighters. Rajinder Singh noted that the Baldev Electronics fire was particularly intense and difficult to access due to the congested location.
As reported, the fire continued burning inside the building with the fire brigade having made more than 12 rounds to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjacent shops. Both incidents serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for enhanced fire safety measures in Ludhiana's commercial districts.
