Major fire in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk burns down more than 40 wholesale shops | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
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Major fire in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk burns down more than 40 wholesale shops

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
May 23, 2017 11:25 PM IST

The fire broke out in the Chandini Chowk area at around 9.30pm on Monday night. No casualties have been reported so far, but goods worth crores have been gutted.

A major fire in Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk area gutted over 50 shops and destroyed goods worth crores on Monday night. No casualties were reported.

The fire control room said at around 9.35pm they were alerted about a fire in Katra Dulia that houses over a thousand wholesale garments shop.(Arun Sharma / HT Photo)
The fire control room said at around 9.35pm they were alerted about a fire in Katra Dulia that houses over a thousand wholesale garments shop.(Arun Sharma / HT Photo)

The fire department said they were alerted about a fire at Katra Dulia that houses wholesale garment shops at 9:35 pm. Twenty-nine fire tenders were rushed to the spot but by the time they reached, the flames had spread.

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“The main problem was reaching the area. The entry to the market is very congested and we had to lay huge pipes to douse the fire. It took fire fighters at least seven hours to get the fire under control. Luckily, no casualty was reported as the incident took place at night,” said a senior official from Delhi Fire Services.

A report by the north municipal corporation said site inspection and local inquiry revealed the fire was caused by a short circuit in one of the shops.

“It appears a short circuit occurred possibly from a loose wire in one of the shops. It spread quickly in the entire market as clothes were stacked inside all shops,” an official said.

Area councillor Ravi Kaptan said, “Goods worth crores were gutted. A three-storey building collapsed. This is not a residential area so people had left after closing shops.”

Complaint against Lamba

Delhi BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Tuesday filed a complaint with the police commissioner against AAP leader Alka Lamba for allegedly obstructing public servants from discharging their duties while dousing the fire.

According to the complaint, Alka Lamba -- AAP MLA from Chandni Chowk -- allegedly arrived and climbed a fire crane. “From videos and news reports, it was learnt Lamba climbed atop the truck meant solely for firefighting operations when they were attempting to douse the fire,” said Sharma in complaint.

“From eyewitness accounts it was learnt this stunt and act of Alka Lamba hindered operations and delayed the process, increasing the risk of the fire spreading... As can be heard from eyewitnesses, she did it solely for photo opportunities and made a complete drama of the whole unfortunate incident,” Sharma said in her complaint.

Sharma said such an irresponsible and callous behaviour by an MLA calls for serious investigation.

Lamba said the BJP was unnecessary politicising the issue. “Soon after receiving a call from traders, I immediately contacted officials of the Delhi fire services, BSES, SHO and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia for help. I reached the spot at 11:15 pm and was there till 2.45 am to ensure the situation was in control.”

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