A devastating fire swept through Delhi's Chandni Chowk, reducing more than 50 shops to ashes and causing losses estimated to be in crores. The blaze erupted in the Old Katra Marwadi Market on Thursday evening, and it took 50 fire tenders and 200 personnel over 12 hours to bring it under control. Although there were no casualties, the fire brought down two buildings in the area.
One of the affected traders expressed the profound impact of the disaster. "Everything has turned to ashes — dreams, the shop, and all its goods," he lamented. The inferno destroyed shops selling sarees, dupattas, and other highly combustible items, according to officials.
The fire started at around 4:15 pm. Narendra, a 60-year-old shopkeeper, was on a call with a customer when he heard people screaming about the fire. "Knowing our shop was in a narrow place, I immediately asked everyone to evacuate. Within minutes, everything was reduced to ash," he said.
Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg reported that two buildings, housing multiple shops including the one where the fire originated, collapsed due to the intense heat. Deepak Mahendru, president of the Nai Sadak Traders Association, noted that police and fire brigade teams were keeping traders away from their shops due to the risk of further collapses. "More than 50 shops are gutted, causing a loss of Rs 70 to 80 crores," he estimated.
The cause of the fire was traced to a short circuit in an air conditioner, which quickly spread to other shops. The intensity of the fire was such that it led to the collapse of two buildings.
Firefighters faced several challenges, including navigating narrow lanes and a lack of nearby water sources. They had to extend fire hoses over 300 metres and use water bowsers and robots to combat the flames.
Jaspreet Singh, another shopkeeper, recounted the terrifying moments during the fire. "My priority was to save my workers and customers. I asked them to evacuate as quickly as possible and was the last person to leave.
I closed the shutter, which was already hot, and ran away," he said. Singh's shop was his only source of income, and he expressed concern about how his family would manage in the aftermath. "Though there is insurance, it takes many days to clear," he added.
Firefighters managed to control the blaze by 4:30 am on Friday, followed by a cooling operation using eight fire tenders. The fire department's efforts were hampered by the presence of combustible materials and dangling power lines, which posed additional risks.
The traders are awaiting a full assessment of the losses, but the devastation is already clear. The fire has not only destroyed goods worth crores but also shattered the livelihoods and dreams of many shopkeepers in Chandni Chowk. The authorities are continuing their investigation and efforts to ensure such incidents do not recur in the future.
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