Delhi: Chandni Chowk fire destroyed around 50 stores, and cooling efforts are in progress.
New Delhi: In the oppressively hot heat, firefighters worked through the night to contain a large fire that destroyed over fifty shops within densely populated buildings in the Chandni Chowk neighborhood of north Delhi.
Officials said on Friday that a cooling operation was under way and that flames were still smoldering beneath some of the collapsed building components.
At approximately 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, the Old Katra Marwadi Market in Chandni Chowk caught fire. Nobody was hurt.
Atul Garg, chief of Delhi Fire Services, stated that the fire was contained around 4:30 in the morning.
Eight firefighting units have been sent out to assist with the cooling process. He stated that 200 workers, including more than 50 fire tenders, worked through the night to contain the fire.
He said that the fire completely destroyed more than fifty small and large stores.
The fire caused two buildings, including the one where the fire originated, to collapse. Under the rubble, little fires are still smoldering in combustible objects, according to Garg.
Officials said that sarees, dupattas, and other combustible products were sold in the burned stores.
After the cooling process is over, the forensics and electrical departments will perform an inspection, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police M K Meena.
He indicated that a formal complaint is being filed in the case.
Another officer reported that the fire immediately spread to other stores after it started as a result of a short circuit in an air conditioner in a store on the second floor of one of the buildings.
According to him, stores are interconnected in the tiny passageways of the former Katra Marwadi Market, making it difficult for firefighters to put out the fire.
According to Deepal Mahendru, president of the Nai Sadak Traders Welfare Association, there could be up to 100 damaged stores.
He claimed that merchants are afraid to enter their stores because of the heat.
“We can determine the losses once the cooling process and inspection are finished. According to him, they will be in crores.