Agra’s Mantola area was gripped in panic after a massive fire broke out inside a leather shoe factory that was being run inside a residential building. The blaze erupted suddenly and spread rapidly as leather, foam and stored chemicals caught fire, creating a dangerous situation. Thick smoke engulfed the narrow lanes, forcing residents to rush out in fear while firefighters arrived quickly to control the flames. The entire warehouse, filled with raw materials and finished goods, was completely gutted, causing heavy financial losses. Initial suspicion suggested that a spark from fireworks may have triggered the fire, but police have not confirmed any cause and are still investigating the incident. Fire brigade teams continued cooling operations for hours due to the intensity of the blaze. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported so far, but the incident left the locality in shock and highlighted the risks of running factories inside residential premises.

