Chandni Chowk fire extinguished, four hurt

NEW DELHI - A major fire at a warehouse in Delhi’s congested Chandni Chowk market was doused Monday afternoon, a day after it broke out, officials said. Three fire-fighters and a policeman were injured.

“The flames were extinguished by afternoon and soon the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) began demolishing the gutted building,” a fire brigade official said.

Almost half of the four-storey building housing the warehouse on the ground floor had been demolished and the rest would be razed tomorrow (Tuesday) morning by the MCD, the official added.

One of the fire-fighters who was seriously injured in the incident continued to be in a critical condition in hospital, the official said.

Two other firemen and a policeman injured in the blaze were stable, said the official.

According to the official, the fire broke out at 5 p.m. Sunday and 30 fire-tenders were rushed to the spot.

“It was a warehouse for plastic bags. The owner was running the warehouse illegally as he did not have the licence,” the official added.

“No resident has been injured. The power supply to the area was snapped while people residing in adjoining buildings were evacuated as a precaution,” the official added.

The officials suspect an electrical short-circuit could have caused the fire. Police are investigating the case.