Gaffar Market Fire: CM Rekha Gupta Reviews Damage, MCD to Evacuate Buildings
A massive fire broke out in Karol Bagh's Gaffar Market. CM Rekha Gupta enquired about losses as MCD prepares to evacuate the affected buildings.
A massive fire ripped through the bustling lanes of Karol Bagh's Gaffar Market in the early hours of Friday, causing significant property damage just as the festive season reached its peak. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta personally enquired about the condition of the affected shops across two buildings, while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has announced that both structures will be evacuated once the site is fully cleared.
Midnight Chaos: How the Blaze Unfolded
The nightmare began around 1:00 AM when reports of a blaze first emerged. Mukesh Verma, Divisional Officer of the Delhi Fire Service, stated that the department received official information around 1:30 AM regarding a fire in Gali Chain Wali. While four fire tenders were dispatched immediately, the intensity of the flames grew rapidly, forcing authorities to escalate the incident to a "medium category" fire.
To battle the inferno, a massive operation was launched involving 150 fire personnel and a fleet of 27 fire tenders. Despite the scale of the fire, officials have confirmed that no casualties were reported.
The Spark: Battery Shop and Festive Stock
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated in a shop that dealt in batteries. From the ground level, the flames quickly climbed, spreading to the upper floors of the buildings.
The firefighting efforts were complicated by two major factors:
- Flammable Inventory: With the festival season underway, shops were packed with large quantities of goods, many of which were highly combustible.
- Lack of Safety Infrastructure: While some fire extinguishers were found on-site, officials noted that the comprehensive fire protection systems required for buildings of this nature were entirely absent.
Investigation and Possible Causes
The Delhi Police have indicated that, prima facie, the fire may have been triggered by the overheating or overcharging of batteries. To confirm the exact cause, authorities are awaiting reports from the Electrical Inspector and the Fire Department. Additionally, a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team will examine the buildings to determine if any other combustible materials contributed to the disaster.
Political Reaction and Compensation
BJP MP Yogendra Chandolia described the incident as "very unfortunate," noting that while property loss was extensive, the lack of loss of life was a relief. He mentioned that the fire actually broke out around 12:30 AM and emphasized the timing's criticality, as the festive period is the most vital time for local traders.
"Our government will certainly discuss compensation in this matter, and an investigation will also be conducted into the cause of the fire," Chandolia stated.
The MP also lauded the swift response of the fire department, asserting that their timely intervention prevented the blaze from spreading beyond a few buildings, which could have resulted in a much larger catastrophe.