Faridabad's biggest fire-cracker market gutted in massive fire

Faridabad: A major fire broke out at Faridabad's biggest fire-cracker market at NIT Dussehra Ground on Tuesday evening, leaving at least five injured.

Nearly 230 200 shops and over a dozen cars were gutted in the fire that likely started with a short-circuit and quickly engulfed the entire market.

TV visuals showed huge fire at the ground with fire-crackers bursting without stop.

While no casualties were reported in the fire that has been brought under control, losses to the tune of several lakhs to shopkeepers are expected.

Nearly a dozen fire tenders were pressed into service. Fire tenders from private firms in Faridabad, Ballabgarh and Palwal were also called.

"Two hundred stalls were given licenses to sell crackers in the Dusshera ground. Many of the sellers were decorating their stalls and transporting crackers there. There were also a few buyers in the ground," fireman Ram Mehar said.

"Almost all the stalls were set up with either polythene or cloth sheds. The crackers were put on wooden tables. All these factors helped the fire spread rapidly," Ram Mehar added.

The cracker market is organised every year during Diwali in this locality on the outskirts of the national capital.

(With agency inputs)