Bengaluru: A four-storey building was gutted in a major fire in Bengaluru amid a Ganesha idol procession, with police suspecting that crackers burst during the procession may have triggered the blaze.
The fire reportedly broke out while a procession was passing through the area, raising concerns about the use of firecrackers near buildings and commercial establishments. Fire and emergency services were called to the spot and worked to bring the flames under control.
According to reports, the blaze caused extensive damage to the building and the belongings inside. No casualties were reported in the incident.
Fire breaks out during idol procession
The incident occurred in Bengaluru on Saturday, September 19, when a Ganesha idol procession was taking place in the area.
Police are reportedly examining whether crackers burst during the procession caused the fire. The exact cause, however, will have to be established through further investigation.
The timing of the incident has drawn attention to the potential risks associated with fireworks during large religious processions, particularly in densely populated neighbourhoods where buildings and shops are located close to procession routes.
The fire quickly spread through the four-storey structure, resulting in substantial damage.
Four-storey building suffers extensive damage
The building was reportedly badly affected by the blaze, with fire spreading through multiple portions of the structure.
A separate report on the incident said a four-storey building in Sudhama Nagar was gutted in the fire. The report said commercial establishments, including helmet and mobile phone shops on the ground floor, were among the premises affected.
The presence of commercial establishments meant that the fire potentially threatened both property and valuable stock. Firefighters responded to prevent the flames from causing further damage to neighbouring structures.
The extent of the financial loss is yet to be fully assessed.
Police examine suspected cracker connection
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire, including the possibility that crackers used during the Ganesha procession may have been responsible.
At this stage, the suspected connection between the fireworks and the blaze should not be treated as a confirmed cause. Fire officials and police would need to examine the scene and available evidence before determining how the fire started.
The investigation could also consider whether any combustible material at the site contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
The incident comes after Bengaluru authorities had made arrangements for Ganesha idol processions and immersion activities across the city. Traffic and civic agencies had announced special measures in several areas to manage the movement of processions and crowds.
No casualties reported
Despite the intensity of the blaze and the extent of damage to the building, no deaths or injuries were reported in the available reports.
The absence of casualties is significant given that the fire occurred in a populated part of the city and involved a multi-storey building with commercial activity.
Emergency personnel focused on containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to nearby properties.
The incident also highlights the challenges faced by emergency services when fires break out during major public gatherings. Processions can involve large crowds, temporary traffic restrictions and the use of fireworks, potentially making access for emergency vehicles more difficult.
Fire safety concerns during festive processions
The incident has once again brought attention to fire safety during religious and cultural processions in Bengaluru.
Ganesha processions attract large numbers of participants and spectators, with fireworks often forming part of celebrations. However, the use of crackers close to buildings, shops, vehicles and electrical infrastructure can increase the risk of accidental fires.
Bengaluru authorities had already put traffic and safety arrangements in place for several Ganesha immersion processions this year. The city had announced restrictions and diversions in areas including KG Halli, Pulakeshinagar, Lingarajapuram and Banaswadi to facilitate procession movement.
Officials had also made arrangements at immersion points, including deployment of personnel and other safety measures at Ulsoor Lake.
Investigation into fire continues
The cause of the Bengaluru building fire remains under investigation. While police reportedly suspect crackers used during the idol procession, further examination is required to establish whether fireworks directly caused the blaze.
Authorities are also expected to assess the extent of property and commercial losses caused by the fire.
For residents and businesses in areas through which large processions pass, the incident underscores the importance of maintaining adequate distance between fireworks and buildings and ensuring that emergency access routes remain clear.
The fire caused significant damage to the four-storey building, but the reported absence of casualties meant that the immediate focus could remain on extinguishing the blaze, assessing the damage and determining how the fire started.