Massive fire destroys 32 shops in fruit mkt

Kanpur: A major fire broke out at Phoolbagh Fruit Market on Monday evening, reducing more than 32 shops and temporary residential structures to ashes within a short time. Flames rose 30 to 40 feet high.Five domestic gas cylinders exploded during the fire, triggering panic in the area. After receiving information, five fire brigades rushed to the spot and began efforts to bring the blaze under control. ‘Police force from several police stations took charge of the situation and evacuated the entire fruit mandi to minimise loss of life and property.Chief fire officer (CFO) Deepak Sharma said the fire broke out at around 5:45 pm on Monday. He said the site is sensitive as it is located right next to the Ordnance Factory, and multiple fire brigade teams were immediately deployed given the severity of the situation.Local residents said the families of fruit and vegetable vendors, besides grocery shop and fast-food outlet owners lived in temporary structures at Phoolbagh Mandi and everything they had was destroyed. A short circuit occurred in electric wires running over tin sheds in the evening and sparks from it started the fire. Gas cylinders then exploded with great force, making the fire more devastating, and people ran outside after hearing the blast to save their lives, the residents said.The blaze spread rapidly and within 40 minutes, more than 32 shops were completely gutted. The hard-earned savings and shelters were reduced to heaps of debris, they said. Local vendors also said the fire started after sparks emerged from electric wires running over tin sheds in the market, and shortly after, a gas cylinder exploded, worsening the situation. One vegetable vendor sustained burn injuries in his hands, though no fatalities were reported.