Delhi on Edge: Back-to-Back Blazes Hit Shahdara and Karol Bagh
Delhi faces two major fire outbreaks in Shahdara's Shanti Mohalla and Karol Bagh's Gaffar Market. Read about the causes and damages.
The national capital witnessed a harrowing day as two separate fire incidents struck different parts of the city within a few hours. While one blaze ripped through a commercial hub in Karol Bagh, another erupted in the narrow lanes of Shahdara’s Shanti Mohalla, leaving residents and shopkeepers in a state of panic.
Chaos in Shahdara: Textile Warehouses Engulfed
A sudden fire broke out in Gali No. 6 of Shanti Mohalla, an area falling under the jurisdiction of the Krishna Nagar police station in the Shahdara district. The blaze sparked fear among locals as smoke billowed from a lane predominantly occupied by warehouses.
According to Anil Verma, a local resident, the fire appeared to be the result of a short circuit. He noted that the fire erupted abruptly in a dead-end lane where several properties are used as textile warehouses. Fortunately, no one was trapped inside the buildings, and all individuals in the vicinity were reported safe. The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) rushed several vehicles to the spot, and firefighting teams worked tirelessly to bring the flames under control.
The Karol Bagh Inferno: 45 Shops Affected
Hours prior to the Shahdara incident, a massive fire devastated a shopping complex in the heart of Karol Bagh. The blaze originated at Puri Plaza, located in Chain Wali Gali of the famous Gaffar Market. The scale of the fire was so significant that it was eventually escalated to a 'medium category' incident.
The Cause and the Struggle
Preliminary investigations by the Delhi Police suggest that the fire may have been caused by the overheating or overcharging of batteries in one of the shops. From there, the flames quickly climbed to the upper floors, fueled by the high volume of flammable goods stocked for the ongoing festival season.
Delhi Fire Service Divisional Officer Mukesh Verma highlighted the extreme difficulty of the operation, citing two main hurdles:
- Narrow Lanes: The tight geography of Gaffar Market made it challenging for fire tenders to maneuver.
- Lack of Safety Infrastructure: While a few extinguishers were present, the building lacked the comprehensive fire protection systems required for a commercial structure of its size.
The Aftermath and Official Response
The operation required a massive deployment of 27 fire tenders and approximately 125 personnel. While no loss of life or injuries were reported, the property damage is extensive. Roughly 40 to 45 shops were directly affected, though the overall impact spanned across two buildings housing about 140 shops.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has sought a detailed inquiry into the incident. Following the complete extinguishing of the fire, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to evacuate both affected buildings. To determine the exact cause, reports are being awaited from the Electrical Inspector and the Fire Department, and a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team will examine the site for any other combustible materials.