A fire tender was trying to pass through the narrow stretch. Two firefighters walked ahead, asking people to move away. It has been 24 hours since a fire engulfed the Marwari Katra market in Chandni Chowk. The embers were still smoldering and smoke poured out of burnt shops. By the time the first fire tenders arrived Thursday evening, this congested market that houses bridal wear shops, booksellers and textile godowns was already up in flames.
On Friday, business owners sat in groups talking about the “mammoth losses”. “Tagda nuksaan hua hai (There has been a big loss),” remarked a shopkeeper. “The entire market has suffered losses,” responded another.
The devastation caused by the fire has reminded people yet again of the dangers in these congested clusters. Over 80 shops were destroyed and two buildings collapsed.
In 2022, a fire gutted over 100 shops in Bhagirath Palace, a mere 3 km away. “There is no way to save anything whenever there is an accidental fire inside. There is no way for the fire tenders to reach,” a store owner said.
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