MATHURA: A fire gutted seven firecracker shops and ten motorcycles in Gopalbagh on the outskirts of Mathura city in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, leaving nine people injured, including a fireman.
The incident occurred in the afternoon at a temporary firecracker market set up for Diwali in Raya. Mahavan Circle Officer Alok Singh mentioned that several people were present at the market when the fire broke out.
According to Raya police station SHO Ajay Kishor, the fire, suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit, affected seven shops with the necessary permissions to sell firecrackers. Of the nine individuals injured, four sustained serious burns and were transferred to SN Medical College in Agra for treatment, while the others are receiving medical attention at the Mathura district hospital.
Fireman Chandrashekhar, deployed at the market, was injured while attempting to prevent the fire from spreading to six other shops and rescuing people. Chief Fire Officer Narendra Pratap Singh mentioned that, according to eyewitnesses, an electricity wire fell on the firecrackers, leading to the rapid spread of the fire. The extent of the loss of goods and property is yet to be determined. The fire was successfully extinguished within half an hour, but 10 motorcycles were also destroyed in the incident.
(With agency inputs)
