Gas leak ignites massive fire at a Kotkapura residence
Early Monday morning, a dwelling on Labbu Ram Street in Kotkapura was engulfed in flames after a suspected gas leak. Within minutes the situation escalated, and two LPG cylinders inside the house detonated, sending a thick column of smoke across the neighborhood.
Where and when it happened
The property, located close to Dera Sat Kartar, first drew attention when nearby residents noticed dense smoke pouring from the rooftop. The fire surged rapidly, and shortly thereafter the audible explosions of two cylinders reverberated through the area.
Owner absent at the time
The home belongs to Shyam Lal Dhingra, who was traveling with his family to Sri Muktsar Sahib for a relative’s funeral. Consequently, no family member was present when the inferno broke out.
Fire‑fighting response
Local fire squads responded swiftly after the alarm was raised. As the blaze proved too intense for the first engine, a larger fire tender was dispatched to bolster the effort. Firefighters wrestled with the flames for several minutes before finally gaining control.
Scale of the damage
When the fire was finally extinguished, the majority of the household’s contents had turned to ash. Furniture, kitchenware, and personal effects suffered severe damage. The family estimates the overall loss to be between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh.
Official comments and call 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.
Ongoing investigation
Investigators have launched a probe to determine the precise circumstances that led to the leak and the subsequent fire.
