A massive fire erupted early Thursday morning at an open-air scrap market on RK Road near Ghoda Colony in Ludhiana, resulting in the destruction of a large quantity of discarded material, a parked truck, and a crane. Fire officials suspect that the blaze was triggered around 5 am by a nearby electricity transformer before it rapidly spread through the roadside junk. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident.
Residents Raise Alarm
Nearby residents noticed thick smoke and towering flames, prompting them to immediately alert the fire department. Although locals initially believed only the transformer was ablaze and attempted to contain it themselves, the fire spread quickly. The intense heat and fear of hidden flammable objects within the scrap created widespread panic, keeping onlookers from approaching the site.
Firefighting Efforts
The fire department dispatched four to five fire tenders to the scene, requiring more than 15 rounds of water to battle the flames. Firefighters faced significant difficulties bringing the inferno under control due to the presence of highly combustible items, including discarded perfume bottles, which fueled the destruction.
Official Statement
Leading fireman Rajinder Kumar confirmed that while the property damage was extensive, the area was secured without any injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with the transformer being the primary suspect.
