Two separate shop fires damaged businesses and destroyed large quantities of festive-season goods in Indore early Friday, with no casualties reported. Short circuits are suspected in both incidents, although the exact causes are still being ascertained.
The fires were reported after people in the markets noticed smoke and flames emerging from upper floors and alerted the police and fire brigade. The flames spread rapidly before firefighters arrived and reached the second floor in one of the incidents.
The narrow and densely packed market areas created a risk that the fires could spread to adjoining establishments. Firefighters worked for a considerable time to contain the flames and protect neighbouring shops. The financial loss from the incidents has not yet been assessed.
One of the fires broke out at National Gas in Chhoti Gwaltoli, a shop selling gas-related items and crockery. The blaze also damaged the adjoining Shriram Tea Stall. A short circuit was reported at an electricity pole near the shops, but authorities have not yet established the cause conclusively.
Firefighters used about one tank of water to extinguish the Chhoti Gwaltoli blaze. Goods stored inside National Gas were destroyed, while the adjoining tea stall also suffered damage. Local residents informed the shop owner, Yogendra, by phone after the fire was noticed.
The incidents come during the festive season, when shops typically hold larger quantities of inventory, increasing the potential scale of losses when fire breaks out. In densely built markets, narrow access routes can also make it harder for emergency crews to reach affected premises and prevent flames from spreading to neighbouring establishments.
The damage to both shops is being assessed. The suspected electrical faults remain under examination, and the exact causes of the two fires have not yet been determined.
