Major Fire Erupts in Kanpur's Beconganj: Short-Circuit Sparks Blaze in Shops
A significant fire broke out in Kanpur's Beconganj area on Saturday morning, causing widespread panic in the densely populated locality. The blaze originated from a short-circuit in three ground-floor shops located within a two-storey building, which housed establishments selling biryani and sweets.
Rapid Spread and Trapped Residents
The flames quickly escalated from the ground floor to the first floor, trapping the building owner and four tenants inside. Additionally, two employees who were sleeping in the biryani shop found themselves caught in thick smoke, unable to escape the rapidly spreading fire.
Neighbour Ayaz Ahmad played a crucial role by immediately alerting the authorities upon noticing the fire. His prompt action led to the swift arrival of the police and fire brigade teams at the scene.
Firefighting and Rescue Operations
Three fire engines responded to the emergency call, with personnel working efficiently to evacuate all trapped individuals. The rescue operation involved:
- Evacuating the building owner and tenants from the first-floor balcony
- Rescuing two employees trapped inside the biryani shop
- Removing three gas cylinders from the affected shop to prevent further danger
The firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within approximately 1.5 hours, demonstrating remarkable efficiency in challenging circumstances.
Building Details and Fire Origin
The two-storey building belongs to Mohd Shamim, a resident of Talaq Mahal Lal Kuan. The ground floor contained:
- Sweet shops operated by Afzal and Dilshad
- A biryani shop run by Aqeel
The first floor was occupied by building owner Mo. Shamim along with four tenants. According to preliminary information, the fire initially broke out at Dilshad's sweet shop due to a short-circuit before spreading to neighboring establishments.
Official Statement and Damage Assessment
FSO Kailash Chandra confirmed that there were no casualties in the incident, which he described as fortunate given the intensity of the fire. He stated that initial investigations point toward a short-circuit as the likely cause of the blaze.
Damage assessment is currently underway to determine the extent of property loss and structural damage to the building and surrounding areas. The incident has highlighted fire safety concerns in densely populated urban areas, particularly regarding electrical systems in commercial establishments.
The successful rescue operation prevented what could have been a tragic outcome, with all individuals safely evacuated from the burning building. Local authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding the short-circuit and subsequent fire spread.
