A devastating inferno tore through a bustling temporary firecracker market at the MG College ground in Fatehpur this past Sunday, October 19, 2025. The colossal blaze engulfed over 65 shops and obliterated dozens of two-wheelers, according to official reports. The sheer scale of destruction saw firecrackers worth several crores of rupees turn into ash, though thankfully, only minor burn injuries were reported among individuals caught in the chaos.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the fire erupted around 12:30 p.m. at one of the cracker stalls, with a suspected short-circuit being the initial trigger. The flames, fueled by highly combustible materials, spread with terrifying speed to adjacent stalls, setting off a rapid succession of deafening explosions. Utter panic seized the market as vendors and shoppers frantically fled for their lives, while a dense, choking cloud of smoke billowed ominously across the sky.
Fatehpur SP Anoop Kumar Singh confirmed that no fatalities had been recorded, stating, “Our paramount concern is to bring this fire under complete control. A thorough investigation into its cause is underway, and any negligence found will be met with stringent action.” Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Jaiveer Singh corroborated the rapid spread, noting that the entire market was consumed by flames within a mere 15 to 20 minutes. He reiterated, “Approximately 65-70 shops and more than two dozen two-wheelers have been utterly destroyed. Fortunately, we’ve had no casualties thus far.” Firefighters battled the blaze using sand, water buckets, and extinguishers to eventually bring it under control.
However, many distraught vendors and shopkeepers voiced strong allegations, claiming that fire tenders arrived at the scene approximately 20 minutes after the fire began, despite the fire station being a mere 200 meters away. Satish, a local trader, lamented, “The temporary market had only been open for about half an hour. In just 15 minutes, everything was gone. We barely escaped with our lives.” Another shopkeeper tearfully explained how her ₹8 lakh investment in merchandise was now nothing but cinders.
District Magistrate Ravindra Singh, who rushed to the site alongside the SP, assured the public, “An official inquiry has been launched to pinpoint the exact cause of the fire and to accurately assess the financial losses incurred. Those responsible for any negligence will face strict consequences.” Meanwhile, BJP district president Mukhlal Pal labelled the incident as “deeply unfortunate” and demanded accountability for the perceived delay in emergency response. Authorities have pledged comprehensive assistance to all the affected shopkeepers.