A severe fire erupted on Sunday afternoon in the bustling Gol Chauraha area of Mandsaur, completely gutting a three-storey residential property belonging to Congress leader Rakhi Satrewala and inflicting substantial financial damage. The incident sent shockwaves through the densely populated locality.
Timeline of the Blaze and Rescue Operation
The fire broke out around noon and, fueled by combustible materials, spread with alarming speed throughout the building. Within minutes, the entire structure was engulfed, turning household belongings and commercial stock into ashes. Police confirmed that almost everything inside was destroyed.
Several individuals were present in the house when the flames started, but the majority escaped to safety. However, the situation turned critical for three children and a pet dog who found themselves trapped inside as the fire raged. Upon receiving alerts, officials swiftly arrived at the scene. In a dramatic rescue effort, a crane was deployed to safely extract the trapped occupants through a window. Miraculously, no injuries were reported in the entire incident.
Cause of Fire and Extent of Damage
Initial investigations point towards an electrical short circuit as the likely trigger for the disaster. The ground floor of the building was rented to one Mohammad Yusuf, who operated a business dealing in spare parts for air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines.
Yusuf stated that the fire likely originated from a short circuit and estimated his stock loss alone to run into several lakhs of rupees. Expensive components for ACs and fridges were completely reduced to rubble in the intense heat. The inferno's fury was not confined to the building's interior; it also damaged a car and a motorcycle parked nearby.
Administrative Response and Ongoing Probe
The local administration reacted promptly to the emergency. Senior officials, including the SDM and Tehsildar, along with police personnel, reached the spot to oversee operations. Three fire tenders were pressed into service, and firefighting continued under direct administrative supervision until the blaze was fully doused.
The fire caused significant panic in the area, with thick, dark smoke billowing and covering the vicinity. While the short circuit theory is primary, authorities have stated that the exact cause of the fire is still under detailed investigation to ascertain all contributing factors.
