Bengaluru: A massive fire broke out in a hardware warehouse at Kumbarpet in the busy Chickpet commercial area on Wednesday morning, triggering panic among traders and residents. The incident occurred around 6 am under the jurisdiction of the Halasuru Gate Police Station. No casualties were reported.
According to officials, the blaze erupted in a three-storey building used for storing plastic pipes and other hardware materials. The locality, known for its dense concentration of wholesale shops and godowns, witnessed thick plumes of smoke engulfing the structure and spreading to nearby areas, causing alarm among shopkeepers and morning commuters.
Fire in congested market area
Chickpet, one of the oldest and most crowded market areas in the city, houses numerous wholesale and retail establishments dealing in textiles, hardware, plastics and other goods. The presence of a large quantity of plastic items in the affected godown intensified the fire, resulting in heavy smoke and flames.
Eyewitnesses said traders rushed to shut their shops and move out goods fearing the blaze could spread to adjacent buildings. “We saw thick black smoke rising from the building and immediately informed the fire department. The entire stretch was covered in smoke within minutes,” a local shopkeeper said.
The narrow lanes and closely packed structures in the area posed challenges for fire and emergency personnel in accessing the spot swiftly.
Firefighting operations
On receiving information, four fire tenders from the Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the location and launched firefighting operations. Fire personnel battled the flames for several hours and managed to bring the situation under control by around 1.30 pm.
Officials said the fire was largely confined to the godown where it originated, preventing it from spreading to adjacent commercial establishments. Workers and occupants in nearby buildings were evacuated as a precautionary measure to ensure safety.
“No injuries or loss of life have been reported. Our teams acted promptly and contained the fire before it could spread further,” a senior fire department officer said.
Suspected cause and damage assessment
Preliminary investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit may have triggered the blaze. However, authorities have stated that the exact cause will be determined after a detailed inquiry.
Police and Fire and Emergency Services personnel have initiated an investigation to ascertain the origin of the fire and to assess the extent of property damage. The value of goods stored in the warehouse is yet to be estimated, but traders indicated that losses could run into several lakhs given the volume of plastic pipes and hardware materials stocked inside.
Electricity supply in parts of the area was temporarily disconnected as a precautionary measure during the firefighting operation.
Traders demand safety checks
The incident has once again raised concerns about fire safety compliance in old market areas of the city, where many buildings are decades old and often lack modern fire prevention systems. Traders in Chickpet have called for regular inspections and improved infrastructure to prevent such incidents in the future.
With commercial activities resuming gradually after the fire was doused, authorities have assured that a thorough inspection of similar warehouses in the vicinity will be undertaken.
The situation remained under control by Wednesday afternoon, and normalcy was restored in the area. Further updates are expected after the completion of the official inquiry.