Uttar Pradesh: Massive fire guts several shops in Hardoi vegetable market
Hardoi, May 22
At least eight shops were gutted in a fire which broke out in the Naveen fruits and vegetables market in Hardoi late Thursday night.
Fire Officer Shivram Yadav said that at least two cylinders had exploded in front of him, and he suspected there had been prior explosions as well. The fire department safely removed at least four cylinders from the area.
The official said that over half a dozen shops had been damaged by the fire and added that a total of three fire tenders were used to control the blaze.
"Information about a fire near Naveen Sabji Mandi was received. Initially, two fire engines were dispatched, but seeing the intensity of the fire, we called for one more, making it three in total. More than half a dozen shops were affected. We managed to safely remove four LPG cylinders, but two others exploded right in front of me. Our firefighters showed great courage and presence of mind to extinguish the fire, preventing potentially massive loss of life and property," he said.
Yadav added that it took nearly an hour and fifteen minutes to bring the fire under control.
The fire is believed to have started due to a dispute among customers in a biryani shop, with no indication of external foul play. There are five shops in the area, three of which are sweet shops, an individual present at the incident informed ANI.
Further details are awaited.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Imagine the panic for those vegetable vendors and their families. In UP's heat, these markets are already crowded, and a fire at night is terrifying. The fire officer's presence of mind saved lives—real heroes. But why no mention of help for the affected families yet?
It's disheartening to see how quickly a small dispute can spiral into such destruction. This is a reminder for local authorities to enforce stricter fire safety rules, especially in markets with LPG cylinders. Kudos to the firefighters for their bravery!
A dispute in a biryani shop led to this? 😐 Jaise koi serial comedy ho rahi ho. But on a serious note, these vegetable markets are lifelines for local communities. We need better crowd management and separate cooking zones. Hope the police catch those responsible.
Three fire tenders and over an hour to control the blaze—that's a serious fire. Glad no lives were lost, but the shopkeepers must be devastated. This highlights the need for better emergency response planning in small towns like Hardoi. Prayers for the affected.
🔥 Yeh Hardoi waalon ke saath baar baar kyun hota hai? First the recent floods, now this. The fire department did a commendable job, but I'm worried about the small vendors who lost their entire stock. Government should step in with immediate relief and a proper rehabilitation plan.
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