Massive fire ravages one of biggest tool units in city

Ludhiana: In one of the biggest fires in Ludhiana in the past one year, a tool manufacturing unit in Phase IV at Focal Point went up in flames following a short circuit on Tuesday night. As many as 40 firefighters had a tough time in controlling the massive flames, which were further aided by heavy winds. No injury or casualty was reported in the incident.
Initially, workers tried to control the blaze with the help of extinguishers, but they couldn’t do much. Firefighters received a call around 9pm about the incident following which fire tenders were sent to the spot from all the five fire stations. Given the magnitude of the incident, firemen who had their offs were also called to the spot, especially drivers whose shortage in the fire brigade is an open secret.
Fire officials said ventilators, which were open, proved to be a passage for the fire to spread. They had to enter the unit, which was spread in a large area, which further compounded the problem for the firemen. Due to heat and fire for long duration, the building also developed cracks and lintel was damaged at some points.
Sub-fire officer Aatish Rai said, “The fire was controlled in almost six hours while we returned around 10am to the fire stations. It was quite tough working there in the dark. The fire tenders were refilled from Focal Point fire station, Fortis Hospital and another nearby industrial unit.” He said the material and machinery kept on the first and second floor of the unit were completely gutted. The fire was controlled before it could reach the ground floor.”
Unit owner S C Ralhan said, “The fire started from the packaging section of the unit and spread to other parts in a few minutes. We have fire extinguishers and hydrant inside the unit with all necessary permissions, but fire was so intense that internal resources ended in no time and firemen also took a long time to control fire.” Asked about losses, he said it is difficult to assess it at the moment.