Ludhiana, July 26 -- Panic gripped Sarafa Bazaar on Saturday afternoon after power cables caught fire, disrupting electricity supply and sending thick smoke billowing across the market. Shopkeepers claimed they had to douse the flames themselves after PSPCL staff could not immediately reach the spot because of the ongoing employees' strike.

Traders said that as smoke engulfed the market, the PSPCL complaint centre was informed but they got no immediate assistance. Traders then rushed to the nearby grid substation and got the concerned feeder shut down. Once the power supply was disconnected, they used sand to extinguish the fire, averting what they described as a major mishap in the congested market.

Prince Babbar, president of the Swar...