JALANDHAR – A catastrophic fire broke out on Saturday morning at a scrap warehouse on Kadian Kala Singha Road in Jalandhar West, leaving a trail of destruction that has displaced dozens of families and scorched industrial property.
The blaze, which began in a scrap yard, was rapidly intensified by strong winds, turning the area into a furnace within minutes. As the fire jumped across the narrow lanes, it engulfed two neighbouring factories and reduced approximately 80 shanties (jhuggis) to charred remains.
Emergency Response and Near-Misses
The Fire Department received the emergency call at approximately 10:50 AM. According to Fire Officer Naresh Kumar, the intensity of the flames necessitated a massive mobilization of resources.
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Resources Deployed: Over 20 fire tenders and water tankers have been pressed into service.
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Preventing Disaster: Firefighters braved the heat to evacuate gas cylinders from 25 nearby homes, successfully averting a series of potential explosions that could have claimed lives.
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Casualties: Fortunately, no loss of life has been reported, though the emotional and financial toll on the slum dwellers—who lost motorcycles and all household belongings—is immense.
Public Outcry Over Response Time
The incident was marred by significant public anger. Distraught locals alleged that despite immediate notification, the fire brigade arrived nearly an hour late, allowing the fire to spread from the warehouse to the residential shacks.
The towering plumes of black smoke were visible from several kilometres away, sparking panic throughout the West constituency. Police teams have cordoned off the site, keeping onlookers at a safe distance as firefighting and cooling operations continue into the afternoon.
Fact Sheet for Quick Reference
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Kadian Kala Singha Road, Near Ghas Mandi, Jalandhar |
| Time Reported | 10:50 AM, Saturday |
| Damage | 80 Shanties, 2 Factories, multiple vehicles |
| Casualties | Zero (Reported so far) |
| Response | 20+ Fire Tenders deployed |
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