Video: More than 100 shops charred in massive fire at Delhi’s Chandni Chowk

Special curator Sushil Singh shared the video and images of the blazing flames on Twitter. He wrote: “A major #fire broke out in the shops at #Bhagirath Palace Market in Chandni Chowk area of ​​Old #Delhi. About 20 firefighters rushed to the scene. The extinction process is underway. Efforts are being made to extinguish the fire. The fire has not yet been brought under control. »

During firefighting operations, five major buildings were reportedly hit, three of which collapsed. According to firefighters, a call about the fire was received at 9:19 p.m. Thursday and 40 firefighters were dispatched to the scene.

22 firefighters are currently working to freshen up the area as the fire was extinguished after more than 12 hours, according to a fire official.

Officials said the fire started in one of the electrical appliance shops in Mahalaxmi market and quickly spread to others nearby. White smoke rose high into the sky as the toxic smell of burning plastic and rubber polluted the air.

Delhi Fire Department Director Atul Garg told PTI: “The fire is under control. Today, 22 firefighters work on cooling operations. The cause of the fire is not yet known. »

Firefighters, NDRF, MCD and reserve police forces all rushed to the scene as soon as news of the blaze was received, according to Deputy Police Commissioner (North) Sagar Singh Kalsi. Senior government officials also arrived at the scene, he said.

“Every effort has been made to extinguish the fire. There are currently no victims. Five major buildings were hit and these housed around 100 stores which were incinerated. Of the five buildings affected, three collapsed,” he added.

Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s chief minister, expressed sadness over the incident and said he was gathering information from the concerned district administration on the current situation.

“This incident of fire in Bhagirath Palace Market, Chandni Chowk late last night is very sad. Since last night, firefighters have been working hard to put out the flames. I am taking information about this from district administration,” he tweeted in Hindi.

(With PTI entries)