Ludhiana: A man died on Friday afternoon after a fire at a building in Ludhiana's crowded Field Ganj area set off a series of explosions from firecrackers stored inside, The Tribune reported. The fire broke out around 1.30 pm in a two-storey building in Gali Number 10 that houses the clothing business Pulkit Fashion, and parts of the structure collapsed.

Source: The Tribune via Jugti

According to the reports, the fire started on an upper floor where firecrackers were reportedly stored. Punjab Newsline, citing police, said the room adjoined a kitchen. Two to three loud blasts were heard, and a wall collapsed, burying Sahil Sabharwal under the debris.

Blaze brought under control after about two hours

The narrow lanes of Ludhiana's Old City slowed fire engines and rescue teams. ETV Bharat reported the blaze was brought under control after about two hours, with police from Division No. 2 at the spot, and The Tribune reported that fire personnel from multiple fire stations took part in the operation.

Source: The Tribune (official video report)

The deceased was named as Sahil Sabharwal, with reports putting his age at 26 or 27. No other casualties were reported in the sources checked.

Premises link reported; illegal-storage claim unverified

The Statesman and Punjab Newsline linked the premises to Aam Aadmi Party leader Goldy Sabharwal. The Statesman described the victim as his cousin, while Punjab Newsline called him a nephew; the relationship is not consistent across reports and is not settled here.

Local residents alleged the firecrackers were illegally kept in a residential and commercial area. That is an allegation: no official finding has been announced. Police have cordoned off the area and begun an investigation into how the fire started and why the crackers were stored there, Punjab Newsline reported, and the cause of the fire has not yet been established.