Fire in Punjab thread factory

CHANDIGARH - A massive fire broke out in a thread factory complex near Samana town in Punjab Tuesday morning, destroying goods and equipment worth crores of rupees, police said. No casualties were reported.

“The fire brigade authorities were informed immediately after the fire was first seen, but they came nearly two hours later. By then, the fire had spread through the factory, especially in the area where the raw material was kept,” alleged an official at the Sarbat Thread Factory.

Fire brigade personnel were still trying to control the blaze, seven hours after it started in the wee hours Tuesday.

“Despite Samana town having many industries, the fire brigade authorities were not geared to face such an eventuality,” the company official said.

The loss due to the fire was expected to be over Rs.10 crore (Rs.100 million).

Fire engines were called from Samana, about 100 km from here, and nearby towns of Malerkotla, Sangrur and Barnala.

A similar fire in the raw material godown of leading towel manufacturer Trident Group in Barnala town Dec 2 had led to a loss of over Rs.15 crore.