Patna: A large fire broke out at a thermocol factory in Dost Mohammadpur village, under the Fatuha police station area of Patna district, causing panic among workers and drawing flames visible from over two kilometres away.
The blaze erupted at Shah Forms, a factory producing thermocol sheets, reportedly due to a short circuit. Witnesses said the fire spread rapidly, prompting a stampede as workers scrambled to escape. Attempts to control the flames by the factory staff proved futile, and they were forced to evacuate immediately.
Local authorities were alerted promptly. Fatuha SDPO Awadhesh Prasad and the station in-charge Dharmendra Prasad arrived on the scene with their team, and notified the fire department. Nine fire engines were dispatched, and after around two hours of effort, firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control.
No casualties have been reported, but the factory sustained significant damage. Large quantities of machinery, raw materials, and finished thermocol products were destroyed, with preliminary estimates of losses running into lakhs of rupees.
A crowd of villagers gathered outside the factory as the fire raged. Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities said timely intervention by the fire brigade helped prevent further damage.
