Fire engulfs Kinari Bazaar

A major tragedy was averted in the congested lanes of Kinari Bazaar in Chandni Chowk on Saturday after a clothes shop caught fire. Initial investigations suggest a gas cylinder explosion caused the fire.

A major tragedy was averted in the congested lanes of Kinari Bazaar in Chandni Chowk on Saturday after a clothes shop caught fire. Initial investigations suggest a gas cylinder explosion caused the fire.

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By the time fire tenders could reach the spot, four shops had already been gutted. The fire tenders were delayed by over an hour by the encroachments on the road. More than 20 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and it took them over three hours to put out the fire. Firemen had to break down a wall to enter the congested lane and start rescue work.

The incident, which was reported around 11.30 am, led to most parts of Chandni Chowk suffering a power failure as the discom — BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) — disconnected electricity supply to prevent electrocution and further damage.

“We have disconnected power in the area as a safety measure. There is a threat of electrocution as there are a lot of wires hanging in the area,” said a senior BYPL official.

“The fire officials reached an hour after we made a call. A disasterwas averted as further delay in the rescue work could have damaged more shops,” said Sudhir Kumar, a trader. The market was packed with shoppers at the time.

As part of a development project, the MCDwas supposed to remove encroachments and the dangerously hanging electricity cables and wires from the area before the Commonwealth Games. The project is yet to take off.