Jalandhar 9 November : A major blaze broke out on Monday at a scrap warehouse situated in New Gyana Nagar under the Jalandhar West constituency, creating widespread panic across the densely populated neighbourhood. Heavy plumes of black smoke billowed into the sky as flames spread rapidly through the combustible waste stacked inside the premises, threatening adjoining houses and prompting an immediate scramble among nearby families to evacuate their premises.
A catastrophic blast was narrowly avoided owing to the swift intervention of on-site workers and neighbours. A portion of the godown compound had been converted into makeshift living quarters for migrant labourers. As soon as the flames surged toward the dwelling area, individuals on the scene managed to haul out three to four LPG gas cylinders into the open street before the heat could reach them. Eyewitnesses noted that had the cylinders ruptured in the intense heat, the explosion would have caused catastrophic structural collapse and potential loss of life in the narrow residential alley.
The outbreak triggered severe public outrage against civic authorities, with local residents gathering at the scene to protest the unregulated operation of hazardous commercial depots in residential sectors. Discontented neighbours stated that multiple formal complaints had been filed previously concerning the illegal storage of industrial and domestic scrap right beside homes, yet no enforcement action followed. Several nearby properties suffered structural cracks, scorched walls, and severe smoke damage as a consequence of the fire, leading residents to demand full compensation for their losses.
Multiple fire brigade units were dispatched to the spot, battling the blaze from multiple flanks to prevent the flames from jumping across common walls to adjacent rooftops. Local police personnel secured the perimeter to control crowds and clear access routes for emergency vehicles. While fire teams worked to cool down smouldering pockets of scrap, officers commenced an inquiry to determine the exact origin of the outbreak and verify whether the property possessed necessary zoning permits and basic fire safety protocols.
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