Fire breaks out at cracker shop, 7 vehicles gutted

Indore: Panic gripped Nayta Mundla area on Tuesday evening after a fire broke out at a firecracker shop cum godown, triggering explosions and sending thick black smoke billowing across the locality.

The fire spread to a nearby office and a parked car, five two-wheelers and an auto rickshaw were gutted. The glass panels of a gym operating on the upper floor of the building were also shattered by the heat.

Fire official Santosh Dubey said that information about the incident was received around 5.55 pm, following which two fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire was brought under control using nearly 35,000 litres of water, he said.

The fire broke out at an office owned by Raju Decoration where firecracker stock was stored and spread to an office owned by Ranjeet Singh. Eyewitnesses said loud explosions continued for a long time as rockets and crackers burst one after another, forcing residents and shopkeepers to run for safety. Locals managed to move a pickup vehicle parked nearby before the flames could spread to it.

Locals said that a rocket firecracker was allegedly being demonstrated outside and may have accidentally entered the shop, sparking the blaze. Officials said that the exact cause of the fire was yet to be confirmed.

Police also reached the area and cordoned off the spot to prevent people from gathering near the burning shop. Fire brigade officials said that traffic congestion near Teen Imli on Nemawar Road delayed the movement of fire tenders to the site. No casualties were reported in the incident.