A massive fire broke out at Bhopal’s bustling New Market on Thursday afternoon, triggering panic among shoppers and shopkeepers as flames reportedly rose nearly 25 feet into the air. The blaze, which is believed to have originated at a chole bhature shop, quickly spread to several nearby establishments and roadside stalls.
Thick clouds of smoke were visible from nearly two kilometres away, while chaos gripped the busy commercial area as people rushed to safety. No casualties have been reported so far.
50 to 60 People Were Inside the Shop
According to preliminary information, around 50 to 60 people were present inside the shop when the fire erupted. As the flames intensified, everyone managed to evacuate the premises.
The fire, however, spread rapidly beyond the initial shop, engulfing neighbouring establishments and roadside stalls. The scale of the blaze prompted an immediate emergency response as authorities worked to prevent it from spreading further through the densely packed market.
Fire Spreads to Mobile and Clothing Shops
According to eyewitnesses, the fire initially broke out in the furnace of the chole bhature shop before reaching the upper portion of the establishment. Within a short time, the flames spread to nearby businesses.
Two mobile phone shops, a utensil store, and shops selling kurta pyjamas and clothing were reportedly affected. Preliminary reports indicate that around five to six shops and between 10 and 12 roadside stalls were impacted by the blaze.
More Than 15 Fire Engines Deployed
More than 15 fire engines were rushed to the scene as firefighters battled the intense flames and worked to prevent the blaze from reaching additional shops. The nearby Khedapati Hanuman Temple narrowly escaped damage, with its boundary wall reportedly helping shield the temple from the advancing flames.
Traffic Congestion Hampers Fire Response
The incident also raised concerns over congestion and encroachment in the busy market area. Sanjay Kumar Jain, the operator of a shop opposite the affected establishment, said he informed the municipal fire brigade after the fire broke out.
According to Jain, it took approximately half an hour for a fire engine to reach the location. He attributed the delay to encroachments at the intersection and traffic congestion near the temple, which made it difficult for emergency vehicles to move through the area.
By the time firefighters reached the site, the blaze had reportedly spread to several neighbouring shops. Authorities continued firefighting operations as teams worked to contain the blaze and assess the extent of damage. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.