A massive fire erupted at a scrap warehouse in Bengaluru’s Akshayanagar, Begur area on Sunday, sending thick clouds of smoke billowing across the neighborhood and causing panic among residents.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and managed to bring the blaze under control, preventing it from spreading further. However, the incident has once again raised concerns over the safety and regulation of scrap storage facilities located in densely populated zones.

According to a report by News18 Kannada, the fire started in a godown stocked with discarded plastic and other scrap materials. The flames quickly intensified, and heavy black smoke blanketed nearby streets and residential areas. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, though preliminary reports suggest it may have been triggered accidentally — possibly due to a gas cylinder leak.

Shocked by the sudden burst of smoke and flames, locals rushed out of their homes and alerted emergency services. Within minutes, three fire tenders arrived at the scene, with fire crews launching a full-scale operation to contain the flames.

Police personnel from the Begur station were also deployed to manage the crowd and redirect traffic away from the danger zone. As a precaution, residents in the immediate vicinity were advised to temporarily vacate their homes, especially those experiencing respiratory discomfort due to the smoke.