Jaipur Walled City Fire Guts 20 Shops, Narrow Lanes Hamper 7-Hour Firefighting; No Casualties Reported
Jaipur: A major fire broke out at a three-story Sethi Complex in Purohit Ji Ka Katla in Jaipur’s walled city on Thursday morning, gutting around 15-20 shops and damaging several others. No casualties were reported, as the market was closed and the complex was largely unoccupied when the fire started. The fire was reported around 7 a.m. on the second floor, where a bangle warehouse was located.…
A major fire erupted in Jaipur's historic walled city Thursday morning, engulfing approximately 15-20 shops within a three-story Sethi Complex. The blaze started on the second floor, near a bangle warehouse, and was reported at around 7 a.m. when the market was closed and largely unoccupied. Preliminary reports suggest a short circuit as the likely cause, leading to the rapid spread of the flames to shops selling garments, plastic goods, cosmetics, bangles, and other merchandise. The fire rapidly consumed merchandise valued in the hundreds of thousands of rupees.
Over 20 fire-fighting teams battled the inferno for nearly seven hours, confronting the narrow lanes of the congested market which hindered access for fire engines. Water was requisitioned through private tankers due to the unavailability of direct access from the main road. Long hoses were stretched from the main road into the complex to douse the flames.
Firefighters also removed five commercial LPG cylinders as a precautionary measure, while the building's firefighting NOC and safety measures would be scrutinized in the aftermath.
The fire alarm was raised by the complex's watchman, Vikram, who spotted smoke and alerted traders through a WhatsApp group. This prompt response from traders, police, and the fire department averted a potential major incident, especially during the afternoon rush hour when the narrow lanes could have compounded the problem. Despite the intense efforts, the complex's firefighting equipment was found to be inoperable.
Thick smoke persisted for several hours even after the flames were subdued, underscoring the intensity of the incident. Thankfully, no casualties were reported.
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