Amritsar, June 8 — A massive fire erupted Saturday morning at a paint factory operating inside a house in the Angad area of Amritsar, claiming one life and leaving two others seriously injured. Firefighting operations are ongoing, with chemical stockpiles inside the premises making containment efforts difficult, officials said.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Central) Jaspal Singh confirmed that the factory was running illegally within a residential property. “It’s a densely populated area, so we have evacuated surrounding homes as a precaution,” Singh said.
The blaze triggered panic in the neighborhood, as thick smoke and fire engulfed the building shortly after flames were first noticed. Local residents immediately alerted the fire department and police, prompting a rapid emergency response.
Over five fire tenders have been deployed at the scene, with firefighting teams using foam to combat the intense flames. However, the presence of large quantities of flammable chemicals used in paint manufacturing has significantly hampered control efforts.
“Because of the highly combustible materials inside, the fire spread very quickly,” said a fire official on-site. “The teams are working in rotation, using foam agents to douse the blaze.”
Preliminary investigations suggest the factory was operating in violation of safety norms. “The incident has raised serious concerns about industrial units functioning illegally in residential zones,” an official said.
Authorities have launched a probe into the cause of the fire and the legality of the factory’s operations. The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital and are said to be in critical condition.
As the firefighting operation continues, officials have urged residents to stay away from the affected area.
