Ludhiana, Nov. 10 -- A spate of fire on Diwali night kept the fire department on its toes, with firefighters attending 75 fire calls across the city in 24 hours between November 8 and 9. Among the major incidents, a massive blaze at the vegetable market in Dhandhari Khurd gutted nine shops, while a scrap shop in Kailash Nagar was also reduced to ashes.

The fire at Dhandhari Khurd broke out around 10.30 pm, reportedly after a firecracker fell near a shop dealing in quilts and mattresses. The shop quickly caught fire, and the flames spread to adjoining establishments within minutes. Several shops dealing in quilts, mattresses and scrap, along with vegetable and fruit carts, were destroyed, causing heavy losses to their owners.

People pres...