Fire in Prayagraj’s Nehru Complex, 30 shops gutted
Fire extinguished by 1pm after a 4.5-hour-long operation, no one injured in the incident as market was yet to open, say fire department officials
PRAYAGRAJ A major fire broke out in the multi-storey Nehru Complex, the largest shopping complex in the densely-populated Chowk locality here, on Saturday morning. The flames engulfed around 30 shops, which resulted in losses of crores to traders. The fire was extinguished by 1pm after a four-and-half hour-long operation, said fire department officials.
No one was injured in the incident as the market was yet to open.
Flames and clouds of smoke created panic in the entire area. Shops in the lower part of the complex were the worst hit, and gradually, the fire spread to the second floor and also towards the rear of the building, they said.
Twenty fire engines took hours to control the fire. Three JCBs were pressed into service to break the shutters of the shops and make way in the narrow passage for the water hoses to reach the affected site.
Locals claimed most of these shops used to sell readymade garments. Outlets selling plastic items like toys, footwear, decorative items and furniture, etc too were gutted.
Chief fire officer (Prayagraj) RK Pandey said after getting the news about the fire around 8.30am, two fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Realising the potential threat, 20 fire tenders from across the district were pressed into service, along with around 100 fire fighters and officials. This resulted in the fire being doused within a few hours, he said.
The CFO said the affected complex has around 210 shops, including those located on the ground floor and three floors above it. “No one was injured in the incident. Prima facie, short circuit is believed to have caused the fire,” he added.
