Ghaziabad, April 16 (IANS) A massive fire broke out in a slum cluster and adjoining scrap warehouse in the Kanawani area under Indirapuram police station limits of Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad on Thursday, triggering panic among residents and prompting a swift response from the district administration.
According to officials, the blaze erupted in an area where around 150–200 shanties are located, along with units engaged in scrap-related work, which may have contributed to the rapid spread of flames.
Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing across the area, raising concerns among nearby residents.
Ghaziabad District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar, who reached the spot to review the situation, said that fire tenders were rushed immediately after the incident was reported.
“On receiving information, fire tender teams were immediately sent to the spot and seven teams are actively engaged in controlling the fire,” he said.
Authorities acted swiftly to ensure that the situation did not escalate into a major tragedy.
As a precautionary measure, ambulances were deployed at the site to handle any potential medical emergencies.
“To prevent any kind of casualty, we have deployed ambulances here. All our officials, magistrates, and police officers are present, and I myself am also here,” the District Magistrate added.
Firefighters worked continuously to douse the flames and prevent them from spreading further into densely populated areas.
The presence of scrap material, often highly flammable, posed an additional challenge for the firefighting teams.
Officials confirmed that the fire has now been brought under control and is expected to be completely extinguished soon.
“So far, no casualties have been reported. All our teams are on the spot,” District Magistrate Mandar said, providing reassurance amid initial fears.
Heavy police deployment was also ensured to maintain law and order and facilitate smooth rescue and firefighting operations.
“There is sufficient force deployed and an adequate number of fire brigade units are present,” he added.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, and an investigation will be conducted once the situation is fully under control.
Meanwhile, authorities are assessing the extent of damage caused to the shanties and scrap units.
–IANS
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