Major Fire Ravages Delhi's Nature Bazaar Handicrafts Market
A devastating fire erupted early Sunday morning at Nature Bazaar, a prominent handicrafts market located at Andheria Mor in south Delhi's Chhatarpur area. The blaze completely gutted approximately 40 to 50 shops, resulting in substantial financial losses estimated between Rs 10 crore and Rs 20 crore. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.
Massive Response and Firefighting Efforts
The fire was described as massive, necessitating the deployment of 10 fire tenders and around 60 firefighters to combat the flames. Local residents also joined the efforts to help manage the situation. Police were alerted about the fire at 7:33 am, and it took nearly one and a half hours to bring the blaze under control. According to three night guards present at the market, the probable cause of the fire was a short circuit.
Extensive Damage to Valuable Handicrafts
An office-bearer of Dastkar, the NGO that operates the bazaar, confirmed that out of 130 stalls, 42 were completely destroyed. The gutted shops contained a wide array of valuable items, including:
- Textile products such as garments and carpets
- Furniture and various handicraft items
- Pashmina shawls and ethnic Afghan garments
- Products from multiple Indian states like Bihar and Jammu & Kashmir
One stall showcasing Afghan products, run by Afghan nationals, was among those destroyed. The market, operational since 2012, suffered significant structural damage as well.
Eyewitness Accounts and Immediate Response
The night guards reported hearing a loud noise similar to a blast and rushing to the spot. Within seconds, the fire engulfed everything. They attempted to douse the flames with extinguishers but were unsuccessful, prompting them to alert the fire department. Firefighters arrived approximately an hour later.
A staffer from the NGO noted that all stalls were closed at the time, and there was rain and lightning, making it difficult to determine the exact spark that ignited the blaze. Proper fire-fighting arrangements were reportedly in place, but the rapid spread of the fire overwhelmed initial containment efforts.
Impact on Shop Owners and Livelihoods
Raminder Kaur, owner of a handicrafts shop, expressed devastation over the severe damage to her business, which she has run since 2013. "It was the primary source of livelihood for my family. Now, everything is completely destroyed," she said.
Naveen Kumar, who owns a garment shop in the market, received a call around 7 am and found everything gutted upon arrival. "Our stocks are gone. We hope the government will provide some assistance," he stated. He credited locals and a timely announcement from an adjoining mosque for preventing even worse damage.
DCP (south) Anant Mittal confirmed that no one was trapped in the fire, though it spread rapidly. The exact financial loss is still being assessed, but initial estimates by Dastkar peg it at Rs 10-20 crore. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in fire safety measures at commercial markets, despite reported precautions.
