Gas leak ignites massive blaze at a Kotkapura residence
Early Monday morning a house on Labbu Ram Street in Kotkapura was engulfed in fire after a suspected gas leak. Within moments the flames surged, and two LPG cylinders stored inside burst, sending a thick column of smoke across the neighbourhood.
Location and timeline
The dwelling, located close to Dera Sat Kartar, first attracted attention when nearby residents observed dense smoke pouring from the roof. The fire grew rapidly, and shortly afterwards the sharp blasts of two cylinders echoed through the street.
Owner away at the time
The property belongs to Shyam Lal Dhingra, who was out of town with his family in Sri Muktsar Sahib for a relative’s funeral. Consequently, no family member was present when the inferno broke out.
Fire‑fighting response
Local fire crews arrived promptly after the alarm was raised. As the blaze proved too intense for the first unit, a larger fire tender was dispatched to reinforce the effort. Firefighters fought the flames for several minutes before finally gaining control.
Extent of the loss
When the fire was finally extinguished, the majority of the home’s contents had turned to ash. Furniture, kitchenware and personal belongings suffered severe damage. The family estimates the total loss at roughly ₹1.5 lakh to ₹2 lakh.
Official remarks and appeal for assistance
Fire officer Sukhwinder Singh said a gas leak is the most probable cause and confirmed the explosions of the two cylinders. The Dhingra family, together with local residents, have appealed to authorities for financial aid to help rebuild.
Investigation underway
Authorities have opened a probe to determine the exact circumstances that led to the leak and the subsequent fire.
