Infant dies, two injured after fire breaks out in Mohali factory; short circuit suspected

PTC Web Desk:  A massive fire broke out at a factory in Punjab's Mohali district due to a suspected short circuit. The blaze claimed the life of a nine-month-old girl and left two others injured. The incident took place on Monday morning in Phase-5, at a factory identified as D-39, which specialises in manufacturing iron dies.

According to officials, the fire was reported around 9 am. Upon receiving the alert, fire brigade teams were dispatched immediately to the scene. However, by the time they arrived, the flames had already spread rapidly, and intense heat made firefighting operations challenging. Despite the obstacles, the fire personnel managed to bring the situation under control using water jets.

The infant’s body was found near a bed inside a makeshift cabin that had been erected within the factory premises. The cabin also served as a pantry area, equipped for making tea. During the rescue operation, the child’s body was recovered from under a bed placed in a corner of the cabin.

Two persons sustained burn injuries in the incident. They have been identified as Babita, a female employee, and Varinder Kumar, the factory owner. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials confirmed that the factory was operating on a rental basis.

Sub-fire officer Suresh Kumar, who was leading the firefighting operation, stated that preliminary findings point to a short circuit as the likely cause of the fire. He added that several electrical wires were found hanging loosely, which may have triggered the blaze. He ruled out the possibility of a gas cylinder explosion or any other such cause.

Eyewitnesses reported that a crowd had gathered as thick smoke and flames engulfed the factory. The police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.