Acrylic factory gutted

Lovleen Bains

Sahnewal, June 16

A major fire broke out at Garg Acrylics Limited at Kanganwal, 5 km from here, this evening. The fire could not be completely put out when the reports last came in.

Though the loss could not be ascertained at this stage, a short-circuit was reportedly stated to be the cause of fire. No casualties were reported.

According to information, the fire engulfed the entire third floor of the building where thread and cloth were stored in abundance along with machines. The material was reduced to ashes in no time. Around 15 fire engines were fighting the flames at the time of the filing of this report.

The duty in-charge, ASI Sukhwinder Singh, said: “Fire brigades from Ludhiana are busy dosing the flames. The cause of fire seems to be a short-circuit. The firefighters are having a hard time extinguishing the fire as it had spread to the whole third floor of the factory.

When asked about the loss, he said: “It is too difficult to assess the total loss at this stage since the major concern is to douse the flames completely. The workers, however, are safe.”

The fire brigade official said: “Fifty fire engines have been used till now and around 15 were fighting the fire. We shall put out the fire soon.”

When this correspondent contacted the professional director of the company Pardeep Makkar, he said he was not aware of any such report. At 10.15 pm, he said he had come to know about the incident now as he was out of station. “He can tell about the cause of fire and loss only when he reaches there,” he added.