FireIncident – Overnight Blaze Devastates Delhi Furniture Market Before Eid

  FireIncident – A major fire tore through a furniture market in northeast Delhi’s Shastri Park late Friday night, leaving dozens of shops damaged and causing financial losses estimated in lakhs of rupees. Authorities confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were reported, although the destruction has deeply affected local traders ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha festival.

Fire Spreads Rapidly Through Market Area

The blaze erupted near the New Seelampur Metro Station and quickly engulfed several furniture outlets due to the large amount of combustible material stored inside the market. Wooden furniture, plywood sheets, and related materials accelerated the spread of the flames, making firefighting operations difficult for emergency teams.

Visuals from the site on Saturday morning showed long stretches of burnt shops and charred remains of furniture scattered across the market. Thick smoke covered the area for hours as firefighters continued cooling operations to prevent the fire from reigniting.

Fire Department Responds With Multiple Tenders

Officials from the Delhi Fire Service stated that information about the incident was received shortly before midnight. According to the department, fire engines were dispatched immediately after the emergency call was logged.

As the situation intensified, the incident was classified as a medium-category fire. Around 25 to 26 fire tenders were eventually deployed to bring the flames under control. Firefighters continued working throughout the night to stop the blaze from spreading further into nearby structures.

Authorities said the exact reason behind the fire has not yet been identified, and an investigation is expected after the cooling process is completed.

Tension Erupts During Rescue Operations

During the firefighting operation, tension broke out between locals and emergency teams. Some residents and traders allegedly threw stones at fire vehicles and personnel, accusing authorities of arriving late to the scene.

Police assistance was later requested to manage the crowd and maintain order around the affected market area. Officials confirmed that security personnel were deployed shortly after the disturbance began.

However, the Delhi Fire Service rejected claims of delay and maintained that crews were sent immediately after the call was received.

Traders Claim Heavy Financial Losses

Local shopkeepers and residents expressed frustration over the scale of destruction, especially with the festive season approaching. Many traders said the market was packed with newly stocked furniture items meant for Eid-related sales.

One resident claimed the fire had started earlier than the official timeline mentioned by authorities and alleged that only a limited number of fire tenders initially reached the market. According to locals, the delay allowed the flames to spread rapidly across connected shops.

Several business owners stated that years of investment were destroyed within hours. Traders fear that recovering from the losses may take months, particularly for small business owners who depend heavily on seasonal sales during festival periods.

Investigation Into Cause Continues

Officials have not yet determined what triggered the fire. Authorities are expected to inspect the damaged area once conditions become safer for investigation teams.

Meanwhile, cooling operations continued into Saturday to ensure no hidden flames remained inside the debris. Emergency personnel remained stationed at the site as a precautionary measure.

The incident once again raised concerns regarding fire safety arrangements in crowded commercial markets across the national capital, particularly in areas where wooden materials and other highly flammable goods are stored in large quantities.