Massive Fire Ravages Bhopal’s New Market; Multiple Shops Gutted
A massive fire broke out near Hanuman Temple in Bhopal's New Market, gutting several shops including electronics and clothing stores.
Panic gripped the heart of Bhopal on Thursday afternoon as a ferocious blaze tore through the bustling New Market area. The fire, which erupted near the prominent Hanuman Temple, quickly escalated, threatening multiple structures and leaving several business owners in shock as flames consumed their livelihoods.
The Spark That Ignited Chaos
The inferno reportedly began around 2:45 pm. According to local MLA Bhagwandas Sabnani, the fire is believed to have originated from the chimney of a local chole bhature eatery. What started as a localized incident rapidly transformed into a major emergency as the heat and flames jumped to adjacent establishments.
The fire's path of destruction was swift, engulfing a variety of businesses, including:
- A clothing store
- An electronics shop
- A utensils shop
- Several other nearby buildings
Massive Firefighting Operation Underway
As smoke billowed over the commercial hub, emergency services swung into high gear. The Bhopal Municipal Corporation and the police department rushed fire tenders to the site immediately to prevent the blaze from spreading further into the densely packed market.
Bhopal Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sanskriti Jain arrived at the scene to oversee the operations. She confirmed that the fire had managed to spread across approximately three to four buildings. To combat the intensity of the flames, authorities deployed a heavy-duty response team, including:
- Eight fire tenders actively battling the blaze.
- Nine water tankers working continuously to refill the fire engines.
- Specialized foaming machines brought in from BHEL to suppress the fire more effectively.
Ongoing Battle to Contain the Flames
While the Commissioner noted that the situation was being brought slightly under control, the scale of the damage remains a major concern. The firefighting teams are working against time to ensure the fire does not leap to even more buildings in the crowded locality.
"Once it is completely extinguished, I will be able to give more details," Commissioner Jain stated, emphasizing that the priority remains total containment. For now, the New Market area remains a scene of intense activity as emergency personnel struggle to douse the embers and secure the area.