A MASSIVEfire at a chhole-bhature eatery in New Market on Thursday afternoon gutted five shops and injured two people. The blaze broke out around 2.45 pm and was brought under control after nearly three hours following a firefighting operation involving 43 fire tenders, 55 personnel and 15 water tankers. The eatery’s manager and an employee suffered serious injuries after jumping from the roof while trying to escape the flames. Both landed on a tin shed and were taken to hospital. Fortunately, no deaths were reported. The fire reportedly began at Balaji Chhole-Bhature and spread rapidly after two LPG cylinders exploded. Flames reached nearby shops through banners and other combustible material. A utensil shop, clothing store, mobile phone outlet and other establishments were gutted. Fire tenders initially faced difficulty reaching the site because a locked gate and encroachments obstructed access. Tables placed on the road near a mosque also restricted movement. The gate was eventually opened with the help of shop employees, while the BMC’s anti-encroachment team cleared a passage.

 

Officials said that the obstruction delayed access by around 35 minutes. Eight domestic cylinders seized: Police found eight domestic LPG cylinders stored at the Balaji eatery and seized them. The district administration directed the Food Department to register a case against the owner for allegedly using domestic cylinders for commercial purposes. Two more cylinders were recovered from Amrapali Hotel above the eatery. Traders estimate Rs 3 crore loss:Balaji Hotel and the adjoining utensil, clothing and mobile shops were completely gutted. Traders estimated the total loss at Rs 2.5-3 crore. BMC Commissioner Sanskriti Jain, Mayor Malti Rai and MLA Bhagwandas Sabnani reached the spot along with senior officials. Sabnani said that encroachments had made firefighting difficult and contributed to the spread of the blaze. Traders, however, blamed the BMC for inadequate firefighting arrangements, claiming that no dedicated fire tender has been stationed in New Market since 2012. The competing claims have renewed concerns over emergency access and fire preparedness in the busy commercial area. Municipal Commissioner Sanskriti Jain said, “The incident is being investigated, and the civic body will review the fire safety arrangements and access for fire tenders in New Market. Necessary action will be taken based on the findings.”