- Destroys beautification panels
Bhopal: A potential disaster was averted at Bhopal’s Lalghati intersection today when a fierce fire erupted beneath the flyover. The blaze quickly consumed the decorative Aluminum Composite Panels (ACP), wood, and lighting installed for the bridge’s beautification, sending thick plumes of black smoke billowing across the city.
= Chaos and traffic gridlock
The incident, which occurred in the Koh-e-Fiza area, caused immediate panic as the dense, black smoke choked the entire locality. Concerned citizens stopped their vehicles, and traffic quickly backed up, creating a massive jam at the crucial Lalghati intersection.
Fire tenders from Bairagarh and Fatehgarh stations were immediately mobilized. It took three fire engines considerable effort to bring the powerful flames under control.
= Millions in damage; Short circuit suspected
While no casualties were reported, the fire caused extensive damage, estimated to be in the millions, as the flammable materials, including plywood and lighting, were destroyed. Preliminary investigations suggest an electrical short circuit in the decorative lighting poles may have been the cause, with nearby trash further fueling the fire. Traffic was eventually restored after the cooling operation was completed.
