Ludhiana, March 24 -- A cloud of smoke engulfed the a a major part of the city on Sunday evening after a fire broke out in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes stored at a vacant plot near Pakhowal Road, officials said, adding that it took four fire tender and around an hour to douse the flames.

The gutted pipes were brought under the Smart City Mission.

Officials said the fire, which started around 6.35 pm, quickly spread, causing panic among residents of nearby areas.

Locals expressed questioned the loss of revenue caused by the fire, which razed the pipes, worth crores, stored in multiple locations over the past three years. The company contractor present at the site said the cause of the fire could not be ascertained.

According ...