Punjab Newsline | Karnal
A massive fire broke out on Saturday at Shri Ram Agro Factory, owned by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Haryana Traders Welfare Board Chairman Satish Gupta, located on Meerut Road in Karnal. The blaze spread rapidly, engulfing the factory premises within minutes and sending thick black smoke billowing several kilometres into the sky.
The fire triggered panic among factory workers, who initially attempted to extinguish the flames on their own. However, the intensity of the blaze quickly escalated, forcing them to alert the local police and fire department.
Multiple fire tenders and police teams rushed to the scene and launched a large-scale firefighting operation. Sub-Inspector Tarsem Singh said the police responded immediately after receiving the alert and coordinated with firefighters to bring the situation under control.
Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Anand Kumar Sharma also visited the factory to assess the situation and monitor the ongoing rescue and firefighting efforts.
A major disaster was narrowly avoided as several drums containing chemicals were stored inside the factory. Officials said that if the fire had reached the chemical containers, it could have triggered a massive explosion. Thanks to the prompt response of factory workers and emergency teams, the chemical drums were safely removed before the flames reached them.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Authorities are expected to launch an investigation after the blaze is fully extinguished. No casualties have been reported so far.
