Chandigarh, May 24– A major fire broke out this afternoon along the underground gas pipeline near the dividing road of Sectors 36 and 37, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering alarm in surrounding residential areas.
The blaze, visible from a distance, is suspected to have been caused by a leakage or rupture in the pipeline, though officials are yet to confirm the precise cause.
Multiple fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene and began firefighting efforts. However, the high pressure in the pipeline is making it difficult for teams to fully contain the flames.
“Controlling the fire is proving tough due to the volume and pressure of gas. Our teams are working to stop it from spreading to nearby buildings,” a senior fire department official said.
Authorities have since shut off gas supply in the affected line to aid firefighting operations. Nearby residents have been advised to remain indoors and avoid the area until the fire is brought under full control.
While no injuries or casualties have been reported so far, emergency personnel remain on high alert.
A delay in the emergency response has also raised concerns. According to preliminary accounts, it took the PNG company’s emergency team nearly 20 to 25 minutes to arrive and close the LPG pipeline, finally shutting off the connection around 8:34 p.m.
Sources claimed that the team’s emergency contact numbers were initially unreachable, further complicating firefighting efforts. The fire brigade was unable to fully douse the flames until the gas flow was cut off.
More updates are expected as the situation develops and investigations continue into the cause of the rupture.
