Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Oct 21: Panic gripped Sonari’s Gola Basti area late Monday night after a massive fire broke out at a scrap yard, sending thick flames and smoke billowing into the sky.
The blaze, which started around 1:30 a.m., was brought under control after a two-hour-long operation by six fire tenders.
According to reports, the scrap yard belongs to local businessman Surendra Gupta, who had returned home after performing festive prayers when he received a call about the fire.
Residents immediately alerted the fire brigade, and multiple firefighting units from across the city rushed to the spot to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby houses.
Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly due to the presence of highly flammable materials in the scrap yard.
Several adjoining shanties were at risk, but timely intervention by firefighters averted a major tragedy. The estimated loss is said to be over ₹5 lakh.
Preliminary information suggests that a stray spark from firecrackers, lit by residents celebrating Diwali in the neighborhood, may have triggered the fire.
However, officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause.
Local representative Neeraj Singh, deputed by West Jamshedpur MLA Saryu Roy, reached the site shortly after the incident.
Singh said, “Local volunteers informed us immediately. Fire units were sent promptly, which helped prevent a larger disaster.”
He urged the administration to strengthen fire safety measures in densely populated areas like Gola Basti to avoid such incidents in the future.
Residents have demanded a thorough investigation to determine whether the fire was accidental or caused by negligence.
Authorities are assessing the extent of damage and will soon begin a detailed inquiry.
Thanks to the swift response of the fire brigade, what could have turned into a devastating inferno was contained in time, saving dozens of homes and lives in the neighbourhood.
