Midnight fire engulfs eight shops in Sitamau

Indore: Eight shops were gutted after a massive fire broke out in a grocery shop in the bus stand area of Sitamau in Mandsaur district late Sunday night. The flames spread rapidly through a commercial complex gutting the eight shops and causing losses worth lakhs of rupees.The blaze erupted around midnight in Udiya Seth’s grocery store, where oil drums stored inside allegedly intensified the flames within minutes. Eyewitnesses said the fire spread uncontrollably to adjoining shops as thick smoke and flames engulfed the upper floors of the complex.Shopkeepers and residents rushed to empty nearby establishments, fearing explosions, and further spread of the fire.Chaos deepened as locals alleged that no fire brigade reached the spot for nearly half an hour after the incident was reported. During the critical initial period, traders, local residents and police personnel attempted to control the flames using private water tankers. Around six private tankers were pressed into service, but the fire continued to rage for hours.Considering the intensity of the blaze, authorities snapped electricity supply in the area to prevent a larger disaster. Frightened residents gathered on roads as smoke billowed across the market area late into the night.Sitamau police station in-charge Kamlesh Prajapati reached the spot with a team and joined the rescue efforts. Policemen were seen using blankets and water tankers while attempting to contain the flames before fire tenders arrived from Mandsaur, Nagri and Suwasara.After multiple fire tenders arrived from neighbouring towns, efforts to contain the blaze intensified and the fire was finally brought under control around 2:30 am. By then, however, goods stocked inside several shops were gutted.