43 incidents on festival day keep firemen on their toes

Ludhiana: Firemen were on their toes as at least 43 fire incidents were reported in the city on Diwali.

While 11 took place in factories, the rest were at vacant plots, houses and shops. Some of the incidents were major.

Around 8.05pm, flames engulfed a cloth factory in Shivpuri. The unit was closed at the time and neighbours raised the alarm. The cause of fire is yet to be ascertained, but firemen suspect crackers sparked the blaze. “The congested street made it difficult to reach the unit. Three fire tenders were put into service,” said a fireman.

Around 9.15pm, a fire broke out at a T-shirt manufacturing unit in Sunder Nagar, gutting machinery. It took around two hours to control the blaze. Since the factory is located near Sunder Nagar fire station, the firemen could easily get water to control the flames.

An hour later, a fire was reported at a washing unit located at Kali Sadak. Sub-fire officer Aatish Rai said, “It is a large unit and two of its halls, where huge stock was kept, were caught in blaze. It was a massive fire that took over three hours to douse. The employees came out in time.”

Assistant divisional fire officer Swaran Chand said, “There was no major incident on Diwali night. But we remained on toes as the incidents started 7pm and continued till late night.”

Last year, 32 fire incidents were reported on the festival day.

Sub-fire officer bereaved

Sub-fire officer Rajinder Pal lost his son to dengue on Diwali night. Sub-fire officer Aatish Rai said, “Rajinder Pal was deputed at Focal Point fire station and he is from Mohali. Though his son was unwell and admitted to a hospital in Mohali, Rajinder Pal was on duty. On receiving the information, he rushed home.”