Mohali, Nov. 4 -- Fire broke out during wedding ceremonies at two adjoining function halls - Aura Garden and Sekhon Palace - located on the Zirakpur-Panchkula road on Sunday night. Both venues, rented for social events, were hosting separate wedding functions when the blaze erupted, prompting panic among guests.

Fire officials said preliminary investigation suggests the fire was caused by crackers used during the wedding celebrations.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire started around 10.30 pm, reportedly due to fireworks used during one of the celebrations and quickly spread through decorative material made of cloth and synthetic fabric. Within minutes, the flames engulfed the temporary pandals at Aura Garden and leapt to the adjacent ...