Three dead in Punjab godown fire

Chandigarh, Dec 4 (IANS) Three employees were charred to death inside an industrial godown near Punjab's Barnala town on Tuesday after a massive fire broke out.The victims were trapped inside the godown, in which mattresses and sofa foam were kept, and were killed in the fire, police said.Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has sought a detailed report from the Barnala Deputy Commissioner.The Chief Minister, who expressed anguish over the incident, announced ex-gratia grant of Rs 1 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased, identified as Jagjeet Singh, 24, Sikander Singh, 25, and Sadhu Singh, 27.The industrial godown is located in Ugoke village in Tapa sub-division near Barnala town, around 175 km from Chandigarh.An official spokesperson said the fire had been completely extinguished.
--IANS js/prs