A massive overnight fire tore through the bustling Bharat Talkies timber market, also known as Pul Patra, in the heart of Bhopal, causing widespread panic and extensive damage. The blaze, which erupted in the early hours of Sunday, sent flames shooting nearly 50 feet into the sky, creating a scene of devastation.
Five-Hour Battle Against the Inferno
The fire was first reported at 2:45 AM on Sunday in a furniture showroom. Fueled by vast stocks of wood and flammable materials, it spread with alarming speed to three adjoining sawmills. Thick plumes of smoke, visible for kilometers, painted a grim picture. According to the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), it took a force of 22 fire tenders and over 50 water tankers nearly five hours of relentless effort to bring the raging inferno under control.
The firefighting operation was perilous. Four individuals sustained injuries when a concrete wall collapsed amid the chaos. All injured were given initial treatment and promptly rushed to Hamidia Hospital for further care. Preliminary estimates suggest property worth crores of rupees was reduced to ashes in the intense heat.
Gunpowder-Like Conditions and Railway Risk
The scale of destruction was magnified by the materials stored at the site. The market houses 108 sawmills, with each unit storing approximately 20 tons of wood, totaling a staggering 2160 tons of combustible material. Adding to the danger, large quantities of thinner and chemicals stored alongside the wood acted like gunpowder, intensifying the flames. Fire experts point out that thinner fires are particularly challenging as they cannot be doused with water, complicating the firefighters' strategy.
Adding a layer of national risk, the market is situated adjacent to a railway track, barely 50 meters away. Despite the proximity of the raging fire, train operations continued, albeit at reduced speeds. Officials acknowledged the grave danger but confirmed that, fortunately, no major rail accident occurred.
A Repeat Disaster Highlights Safety Failures
This incident marks the second major fire at the same market within just 48 days. On November 9, a similar blaze had gutted six sawmills. Saturday's devastating repeat underscores a shocking lack of preventive measures despite repeated warnings from authorities and safety experts after the first fire. The recurrence points to systemic failures in enforcing fire safety norms in the densely packed commercial area.
The event has raised serious questions about the enforcement of safety regulations in industrial and market areas within Bhopal, especially those dealing with highly flammable goods. The community and business owners are now demanding concrete action to prevent a third tragedy.
