Kanpur: A devastating fire erupted at a temporary firecracker market located on the MG College ground in Fatehpur on Sunday. The blaze quickly engulfed the area, destroying more than 65 shops and dozens of two-wheelers, according to official reports. The incident resulted in the loss of firecrackers valued in the crores, with several people sustaining minor burn injuries.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the fire started around 12:30 pm, potentially due to a short circuit in one of the cracker stalls. The flames rapidly spread to adjacent shops, all filled with fireworks, leading to a series of loud explosions and widespread panic. As smoke billowed into the sky, traders and customers rushed to escape the unfolding chaos.
Fatehpur SP Anoop Kumar Singh confirmed that no casualties have been reported so far. He stated that the immediate priority is to fully control the fire and that a thorough investigation into the cause is underway, with strict action promised for any negligence found.
The Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Jaiveer Singh, reported that the entire market was consumed by flames within 15 to 20 minutes. He estimated that approximately 65-70 shops and over two dozen two-wheelers were completely destroyed, thankfully without any reported fatalities.
Firefighting efforts involved the use of sand, water buckets, and extinguishers. However, vendors and shopkeepers expressed frustration, alleging a significant delay in the arrival of fire tenders despite the fire station being a mere 200 meters away. Some recounted narrowly escaping with their lives, with one trader lamenting the total loss of an ₹8 lakh investment.
District Magistrate Ravindra Singh announced that an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and assess the total losses. He assured that stringent action would be taken against those found negligent. Meanwhile, local BJP leaders have called the incident unfortunate and are demanding accountability for the reported response delays. Authorities have pledged full support and assistance to the affected shopkeepers.