Massive fire at Dilli Haat, 24 shops gutted; no casualties reported
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New Delhi: On Wednesday night, a massive fire broke out at Dilli Haat, a well-known arts and crafts market in South Delhi. The fire gutted over two dozen shops and caused extensive property damage. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported.
The blaze erupted at approximately 8:45 p.m., with a police control room call received shortly after at the Sarojini Nagar Police Station. Responding swiftly, the Station House Officer and other police personnel rushed to the scene and began evacuating the area as a precaution. Delhi Fire Service received a fire alert at 8:55 p.m. and promptly deployed 13 fire tenders. In total, 14 fire engines and more than 50 fire personnel were engaged in the firefighting operation.
According to Delhi Fire Officer Sanjay Tomar, strong winds posed a challenge, but teams successfully managed to prevent the fire from spreading further. “We deployed over 50 personnel and 14 tenders to control the blaze. Despite the wind, we contained the fire in time,” he said.
Initial assessments from the Delhi Police indicate that around 24 to 26 shops, mostly located in the Stage Area of the market, were completely gutted. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have been triggered by a short circuit. The fire has caused damage amounting to several lakhs of rupees, with vendors and artisans losing a significant quantity of goods and merchandise.
Dilli Haat, known for showcasing traditional handicrafts and regional cuisines, attracts a large number of locals and tourists. The fire has come as a devastating blow to the artisans and shopkeepers who depend on the market for their livelihood.
This incident was the second major fire reported in Delhi on Wednesday, following an earlier fire in a building in the Gandhi Nagar Market.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed concern over the incident and assured ongoing support. “The news of the fire at Dilli Haat is unfortunate. The fire has been brought under control, and thankfully, no casualties have been reported. We are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring that all necessary assistance is provided to those affected,” she posted on the social media platform X.
Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra also visited the site and vowed government support for affected vendors. “As soon as we received information about the fire, I rushed here. This is a very unfortunate incident. Around 26 shops have been completely destroyed. I have directed officials to assess the damage, and compensation will be provided. We stand firmly with the artisans and will not let them suffer,” he stated.
Fire and police officials continue to investigate the exact cause of the incident.
With IANS inputs