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Goods worth crores gutted in fire at Kanpur hosiery market
Shops heavily stocked with hosiery items due to high demand during festive season; goods worth ₹750 crore destroyed in the fire, which lasted for more than 14 hours, says market association
KANPUR Over 800 shops were gutted in a massive fire that broke out in six commercial complexes in Bansmandi area here, which together form the biggest hosiery market in UP. The blaze on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday was one of the worst fire incidents in Kanpur, said officials.
The shops were heavily stocked with hosiery items due to high demand during the festive season. Goods worth ₹750 crore were destroyed in the fire, which lasted for more than 14 hours, said the market association in a statement.
Over 50 fire tenders from several districts, along with Army and Indian Air Force teams doused the flames in a marathon effort, said Anand Prakash Tiwari, joint commissioner of police. A hydraulic ladder was also called in from Lucknow to help in the firefighting operations as the one in Kanpur was out of order since 2019.
Though no casualties were reported, one person was said to be missing. Gyan Chand, 40, who worked in one of the shops, was untraceable. He was on the fourth floor with some of his colleagues when the fire broke out.
The fire first engulfed AR Tower and then quickly spread to the nearby buildings in Masood Complex 1 and 2 and Hamraz Complex due to strong winds.
“Around 3am, a fire broke out in AR Tower. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, but it is suspected that it may have been caused by a short circuit. An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of fire,” said Tiwari.
Ravi Dubey, a trader, said 800 shops were destroyed and the loss of property was not less than ₹2,000 crore. “This is the biggest hosiery market and caters to the entire state,” he added.
Meanwhile, deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak took stock of the situation at the market and assured all possible help to the businessmen.
“The important thing now is to fully control the fire and ensure that no one is harmed. The government assures all possible help to the businessmen.”
“As soon as the smoke is cleared and the situation is under control, the government will enquire about the damage caused by the fire. The divisional commissioner and the police Commissioner will submit a report to the government on the damages,” he said.
“The fire has largely been controlled. The firefighting operation is expected to continue and won’t be stopped unless experts are sure the fire has been put out completely,” said Ajay Kumar, fire commandant.
