Blaze Erupts in Jhelum Snack Factory
A major fire broke out at a papad (crispy snack) manufacturing factory in Jhelum, Punjab, destroying goods worth millions of rupees. According to officials, the blaze erupted suddenly at the Potohar Foods Factory, located in the Rathian area of the city’s Small Industrial Zone.
Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the site soon after receiving the alert. Using four fire engines, they launched an extensive operation and managed to bring the flames under control after several hours of effort.
Cause of the Fire
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by a short circuit in the factory’s electrical system. Within minutes, the flames spread rapidly to the storage warehouse and adjacent production areas, engulfing large quantities of raw materials and finished goods.
Eyewitnesses said thick plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the industrial estate, prompting nearby workers and residents to evacuate the area temporarily.
Swift Response Prevents Loss of Life
Rescue officials confirmed that there were no casualties, as the fire broke out during a time when only a limited number of staff were on site. The quick response of the rescue teams prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby factories and residential buildings.
However, the loss in property and raw materials is estimated to be in the millions of rupees. After extinguishing the flames, the rescue teams carried out a cooling process to prevent re-ignition and declared the site safe.
Industrial Safety Concerns
Incidents like this highlight ongoing safety challenges in Pakistan’s small-scale industrial sector. Many factories operate with outdated wiring systems and lack fire safety measures, including smoke alarms and emergency exits.
Authorities are expected to conduct a detailed inspection of the factory to determine compliance with safety standards and recommend preventive measures for the future.
