Dark smoke and flames billow outside after a fire broke out at a firecracker market in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh on October 19, 2025. Photo credit: PTI
A massive fire tore through a temporary firecracker market on the grounds of MG College in Fatehpur on Sunday (Oct 19, 2025), gutting more than 65 shops and destroying dozens of two-wheelers, officials said.
Firecrackers worth several crores of rupees were reduced to ashes as several people suffered minor burns in the fire, they said.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out around 12:30 at one of the cracker stalls, allegedly caused by a short circuit. The flames quickly spread to the adjacent stands, all full of fireworks, and set off a series of loud explosions.
Panic gripped the market as traders and customers scrambled to get to safety as a thick cloud of smoke covered the sky above.
Fatehpur SP Anoop Kumar Singh said no casualties have been reported so far. “Our priority is to bring the fire under complete control. The cause of the fire is being investigated and strict action will be taken against those found negligent,” the SP said.
Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Jaiveer Singh said the fire engulfed the entire market within 15 to 20 minutes. “About 65-70 shops and over two dozen two-wheelers were completely gutted. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far,” he said.
Firefighters used sand, buckets of water and fire extinguishers to contain the blaze, officials said.
However, vendors and traders claimed that the fire brigade reached the spot almost 20 minutes after the fire broke out, despite the fact that the fire station was only 200 meters away.
“The temporary market started functioning only half an hour earlier. Everything was gone within 15 minutes. We barely managed to escape with our lives,” said Satish, a local trader.
Another shopkeeper said she had invested ₹8 million in her stall; now all goods have been reduced to nothing.
District Magistrate Ravindra Singh, who rushed to the spot with the SP, said, “An inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess the losses. Strict action will be taken against those found negligent.”
Meanwhile, BJP district president Mukhlal Pal termed the incident as “unfortunate” and demanded responsibility for the alleged delay in response. The authorities have provided all possible assistance to the affected traders.
Published – 19 Oct 2025 19:42 IST
