Ludhiana, Dec. 30 -- Panic gripped residents of Basant Nagar's street number 6, after a major fire broke out in a three-storey scrap godown late on Monday night, leading to the collapse of the rear wall of a neighbouring house and damage to adjoining buildings. The affected family had to vacate the house after the wall collapsed due to the heat and flames.

The fire started around 9.40 pm on Monday. Thick smoke soon filled the narrow residential lane as flames rose high from the godown, where a large quantity of scrap was stored. Residents rushed out of their homes and remained on the streets through the night fearing that the blaze would spread further.

Fire officials said the operation to control the blaze continued till Tuesday aftern...