Ludhiana: A fire broke out at the City Centre dumping yard opposite Prem Vihar Flats, near F Block of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, on Sunday morning, endangering the lives of a buffalo and a bull before local residents rescued both animals and fire officials contained the blaze.The fire was reported between 9 am and 9.30 am. Passersby witnessed the flames and alerted the fire department with the help of local residents. A fire tender was rushed to the site and successfully brought the blaze under control.During the incident, residents entered the fire-affected area and rescued both the buffalo and the bull.Expressing concern over the safety of surrounding neighbourhoods, they sought urgent intervention from the authorities. “It is fortunate that both animals were rescued in time. The administration must wake up before a major tragedy claims human or animal lives,” a resident said.Another local pointed out that this was the second fire at the same site since Diwali, adding that authorities failed to implement preventive measures after the earlier incident. He noted that safety sheets installed around the City Centre premises were damaged and torn at several spots, while large amounts of accumulated dry waste and combustible material posed a severe fire hazard.Locals urged the Ludhiana Improvement Trust chairperson, municipal corporation commissioner, and deputy commissioner to inspect the site immediately, investigate the recurring fires, repair the torn safety sheets, clear the accumulated waste, and install adequate fire-safety arrangements.
