Ludhiana, Feb. 20 -- A 68-year-old man was charred to death after a fire broke out at his house in Bandeyan Mohalla near Mishra Chowk in Ludhiana on Thursday morning.

According to officials, the blaze erupted around 9.30 am at a three-storey building located in the congested locality, adjoining Rama Model School in Daresi. The building housed residential accommodation, with a small-scale manufacturing unit operating on the ground floor.

Fire teams rushed to the spot, but narrow lanes and heavy congestion delayed access, preventing fire tenders from reaching the building directly.

Fire officials said nearly 1,200 feet of hose pipes had to be laid from a distance to douse the flames.

The blaze was brought under control within an hour de...