A massive fire broke out in Agra’s main textile market after a compressor of an air conditioner unit exploded in one of the shops. The fire caused extensive damage to over a dozen shops and several vehicles. No casualties were reported.
The fire occurred in Sindhi Bazaar at 3:50 pm on Wednesday and rapidly spread to adjacent establishments, including Ganga Footwear, Pinky Cloth, Ashok Cloth, Uphaar Footwear and Masala Restaurant. The situation worsened when three gas cylinders in a restaurant exploded, causing nearby banners and posters to ignite.
The fire then spread to additional shops on both sides of the road, damaging a nearby mosque and gutting three scooters and a motorcycle parked in the vicinity.
Initial estimates suggested that the fire resulted in losses of crores of rupees. The blaze was brought under control after approximately one-and-a-half hours of intense effort by ten fire brigade vehicles. Firefighters continued their firefighting operations until 7 pm.
Initially, shopkeepers attempted to douse the flames themselves but, realising the severity, they called emergency services. Unfortunately, calls to the emergency number 100 resulted in delayed communication.
It wasn’t until a call was made to 112 at 4:23 pm that the fire brigade was alerted. Fire engines arrived within ten minutes of this call, but crucial time had already been lost.
Efforts to extinguish the fire were hampered by a shortage of water. Firefighters discovered that the hydrant points managed by the municipal corporation were in disrepair. Requests for additional water from the corporation were unsuccessful.
The fire brigade then sourced water from the tank at SN Medical College, which played a vital role in containing the blaze.
Eyewitnesses said they saw flames soaring several metres high and the smoke plume being visible from several kilometres away.
The magnitude of the fire triggered panic among shopkeepers and residents. However, the fire officials were able to evacuate the people safely.
Source Agencies
