Kanpur: A PNG gas pipeline leakage triggered a fire outside a house in Awas Vikas-1 under the Kalyanpur police station area of the city on Wednesday morning, causing panic in the area. The fire spread to electrical wires outside a nearby house, forcing authorities to cut the power line.Awas Vikas resident and retired Gramin Bank employee Ramchandra Sharma said he went for a walk at around 5 in the morning and, on returning at around 7, noticed flames rising outside his house due to a gas leakage. He said he immediately called the PNG toll-free number, but the call went unanswered for a long time. As the situation worsened, he dialled 112 to alert the police and fire brigade.Police reached the spot immediately and constables began attempting to douse the flames. However, the fire brigade arrived approximately 1.5 hours later, by which time the fire had not been brought under control.Given the intensity of the fire, a JCB was called to the spot and wet soil was used to bring the blaze under control. Shortly after, PNG company employees arrived and, as a precaution, gas supply was shut off across approximately six kilometres. The situation was then fully brought under control.Ramchandra Sharma also informed district magistrate Jitendra Singh about the incident over phone, following which Fazalganj Fire Station was directed to reach the spot immediately.According to fire department personnel, one vehicle broke down near Swaraj India Public School in Rawatpur, necessitating the deployment of a second vehicle, which caused the delay in arrival.Local residents said the police arrived promptly and began relief operations, but the delayed response of the fire brigade and PNG employees left the situation uncontrolled for some time. The fire was later brought under control.
