A massive fire broke out at a cardboard factory in Kanpur's Saket Nagar on Thursday, triggered by a short circuit. The blaze led to loud explosions as six gas cylinders stored inside detonated within moments. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.
Panic Among Residents
The blasts caused panic among local residents, forcing them to evacuate their homes. Witnesses reported seeing flames rising up to 10 feet high, prompting them to alert the Kidwai Nagar police and the fire brigade. Nine fire engines from five fire stations were deployed, and the fire was brought under control after approximately five hours.
Details of the Incident
The cardboard factory, owned by Saket Nagar resident Ajit Arora, operated from a rented building belonging to Indrapal Arora. The short circuit occurred at 3:30 am on Thursday, igniting stored cardboard boxes and gas cylinders. Successive explosions intensified the blaze, jolting residents awake in nearby homes and apartments. The factory's tin shed was completely reduced to ashes.
Firefighters from Fazalganj, Latoush Road, Meerpur Cantt, and Jajmau stations rushed to the scene. The collapsed tin shed made extinguishing the burning cardboard challenging. Using a backhoe loader, firefighters pulled apart the debris and separated the material, finally bringing the intermittently flaring fire under control by around 8:30 am.
Official Statement
Chief fire officer Deepak Sharma stated that the blaze worsened after cylinders stored in the factory burst. Of the 12 cylinders recovered, six had exploded. No casualties were reported as the factory was closed at the time of the incident.
About the Author
Faiz Rahman Siddiqui, with over two decades of experience, writes extensively on crime stories. His professional portfolio extends to environmental journalism, wildlife protection initiatives, and political developments. His thorough reporting on diverse social issues has contributed significantly to positive changes.
