A massive fire erupted at a JCB workshop located on Ajmer Road in Bhankrota, Jaipur, on Monday evening, causing widespread panic and disruption in the vicinity. This incident occurred at the very same site that previously witnessed a devastating LPG tanker blast, bringing back unsettling memories for local residents. The intensity of the blaze was such that plumes of thick smoke were visible from as far as 5 kilometers away, signaling the gravity of the situation to the wider community.
The Inferno Unleashed and Immediate Response
The fire, which began around 5:30 PM, is suspected to have originated from welding work being carried out in the rear section of the JCB workshop. An employee, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that sparks from the welding ignited oil stored within the facility. What started as a small flame rapidly escalated into a ferocious inferno, engulfing the entire premises in smoke and towering flames, while approximately 80 officers and employees were present at the workshop when the fire broke out. Faced with the rapidly spreading blaze, they immediately fled the premises to save their lives. Initial attempts by some employees to control the fire using the workshop's internal fire system proved futile against the overwhelming intensity of the conflagration.
Extensive Damage and Devastated Assets
Upon receiving the alarm, the Bhankrota police station and fire brigade teams were dispatched to the scene without delay. Recognizing the severity of the situation, a total of 15 fire tenders were deployed, while these teams battled the raging fire for approximately two hours, finally bringing the main blaze under control by 7 PM. During this critical period, the Civil Defense team played a crucial role, successfully rescuing 12 individuals from the workshop premises who were at risk. As a precautionary measure, one lane of Ajmer Road was closed to traffic, and three nearby petrol pumps were temporarily shut down to prevent any potential secondary hazards. The close proximity of establishments like D-Mart and Dharav School to the workshop necessitated swift administrative action to avert a larger disaster.
The devastating fire inflicted extensive damage upon the JCB workshop. Furniture, a large quantity of tires, crucial documents, approximately 5000 liters of chemicals, grease, oil, and several JCB machines along with their parts were completely incinerated. The sheer intensity of the flames severely compromised the structural integrity of the workshop building. Despite the initial control, the fire continued to pose challenges late into the night, with stored oil and chemical drums intermittently reigniting, requiring constant vigilance from the fire brigade. Around 10 PM, a section of the workshop again caught fire,. Which was promptly extinguished by the fire brigade team stationed on-site.
Eyewitness Accounts and Community Support
Local resident Rakesh, whose house is located behind the workshop, described the fire as so fierce that it was clearly visible from his home. He recalled seeing plumes of smoke initially, which quickly gave way to a massive blaze, causing widespread panic among the onlookers. Rakesh also noted that local residents compared the intensity of this fire to the previous LPG. Tanker blast at the same location, highlighting the traumatic impact of such events on the community. The local populace actively assisted the fire brigade personnel in their efforts to extinguish the fire. When the water supply of the fire tenders ran low, residents from the surrounding areas stepped in to help refill them, thereby accelerating the firefighting operations. Debris removal efforts continued late into the night outside the. Workshop, while firefighters worked to douse any remaining smoldering spots. This incident once again underscores the critical importance of industrial safety protocols and strong emergency preparedness in the region.
