A massive fire broke out late Thursday night at a paint shop and warehouse named Ranga Sagar, located near the Naturopathy Centre in Chopasni Housing Board, Jodhpur. The fire began around 9:30 PM and quickly spread across the three-story building filled with paint, thinners, and chemicals, leading to several explosions as drums burst due to heat.
Fire and rescue teams battled the flames for over eight hours, working through the night until early morning. More than 15 fire tenders from various stations, including Shastri Nagar and Nagori Gate, were deployed. As the fire grew uncontrollable, help was requested from the Indian Air Force, whose fire units joined with specialized equipment and sky lifts to control the upper floors.
The intense heat caused portions of the building’s upper section to partially collapse, but firefighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings, including the adjoining Naturopathy Centre, which was safely evacuated. Power supply in the area was cut off for four hours as a precaution.
According to officials, the inferno destroyed the entire stock and warehouse meant for Diwali sales, resulting in heavy financial losses of several lakhs. The flames were difficult to control because of the large amount of flammable substances stored inside.
City officials including Mayor Vanita Seth and DCP West Vineet Bansal were present at the site to oversee rescue operations. Large crowds gathered around the area, forcing police to work hard to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
Authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the fire. Initial findings suggest that chemicals and poor storage safety may have contributed to the rapid spread. The administration has promised strict action if fire safety rules are found to have been ignored.
Despite the scale of destruction, no injuries or fatalities were reported. The joint effort between the local fire department and the Indian Air Force successfully prevented what could have become a far greater tragedy.