By: Express News ServiceZirakpur (mohali) | November 3, 2025 12:56 AM IST 2 min readAn invitee present at the event stated that the fire possibly started when fireworks from a nearby celebration landed inside the banquet premises (Express Photo)A major fire broke out late Sunday night at Aura Garden Banquet Hall, located on the Zirakpur–Shimla Road near the Panchkula border, triggering panic during an ongoing wedding ceremony.According to eyewitnesses, the blaze erupted suddenly inside the banquet hall while the wedding rituals were underway. Within minutes, thick smoke engulfed the entire venue, forcing guests to rush for safety. Fortunately, most attendees managed to escape in time, and no casualties have been reported so far.An invitee present at the event stated that the fire possibly started when fireworks from a nearby celebration landed inside the banquet premises, where several inflammable materials such as wooden décor and fabric drapes were used. The sparks allegedly ignited the decorations, causing the fire to spread rapidly.The flames soon engulfed the adjoining Sekhon Banquet Hall, which suffered partial damage before firefighters managed to contain the blaze. Fire tenders from Zirakpur and Panchkula were immediately dispatched, and after nearly an hour of intense firefighting, the situation was brought under control.While initial reports point to a possible short circuit or stray firecracker as the cause, officials said the exact reason is yet to be determined. The fire also led to heavy traffic congestion on the busy Zirakpur–Shimla highway as panicked guests rushed towards their vehicles parked outside, and several onlookers gathered along the road to witness the incident.Police teams from the nearby stations and fire department officials reached the scene promptly. The authorities are now conducting an investigation to assess the extent of property damage and identify any safety lapses that may have contributed to the mishap.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:zirakpur