Uttar Pradesh: Fierce fire in Kanpur’s biggest textile market
A massive fire broke out at AR Tower in Bansmandi, Kanpur at around 1 am due to short circuit. Around 800 shops in 6 complexes were completely gutted in the blaze. Due to which there is a possibility of loss of billions of rupees. As soon as the information about the fire was received, the entire administration swung into action.
Army, Air Force, Police and Fire Brigade personnel have taken charge. More than 50 fire brigade vehicles from many nearby districts including Kanpur, Unnao, Lucknow are engaged in extinguishing the fire. The fire in the wholesale market could not be extinguished even after 21 hours. The fire in the ground floor is not yet extinguished.
The fire brigade team is trying to extinguish the fire. At the same time, the water has gone up to about 5 feet in the basement, the Municipal Corporation’s vehicle has arrived to remove it. The information about the missing of a person who stayed in the complex has come to the fore. Officials say that only after the fire is extinguished, some information about it will be available.
Fire fueled by strong winds
The fire first started in the goods kept outside the shops in the AR tower. Due to strong winds, the fire engulfed many shops in a moment. After this, the entire three-storey tower started blazing. The fire then spread to Hamraj Complex, Nafees Tower, Arjan Complex, Masood Complex and Super Hamraj Complex. Flames and smoke are still rising from these 6 complexes.
Loss of more than two thousand crores
Nafees Tower houses the State Bank of India (SBI). This tower is also on fire. The fire has also engulfed the bank. Trader Ravi Shankar Dubey told that more than 800 shops were burnt. There has been a loss of more than 20 billion i.e. more than two thousand crores due to the fire.
Missing a person who stayed in AR tower
Gyan Chand, who worked in AR tower, is missing. His wife says that he has not been traced yet. The companion told Gyan Chand that we 6-7 people had gone to sleep at 12 midnight on the fourth floor. The fire broke out after one o’clock. After the fire broke out, we all came out. But, the wisdom of 40 years is not being known. Firefighters wearing masks with oxygen cylinders entered the AR tower to seek knowledge.
Fire brigade called from nearby districts
More than 50 fire brigade vehicles from several districts including Kanpur, Unnao and Lucknow are engaged in extinguishing the fire. Along with the army, the Air Force team is also involved in controlling the fire. Kanpur Police Commissioner BP Jogdand, Joint Police Commissioner Anand Prakash Tiwari and DM are present on the spot.
Joint Police Commissioner Anand Prakash Tiwari says that the team is engaged in extinguishing the fire. If there is a cloth market, the fire spread rapidly. There is a wood market nearby. There are narrow roads, there are many buildings around. In such a situation, care is being taken that the fire does not spread further.
One kilometer area sealed
Due to the fire in Kanpur Bansmandi, a radius of about 1 km has been sealed. All roads leading to Koparganj Chauraha, Bansmandi Chauraha and Deputy Padav Chauraha to Bansmandi cloth market have been barricaded.
The fire is no longer spreading to other buildings. To a large extent it has been brought under control. Hydraulic machine has also been installed. Firefighters have entered inside with hydraulic machines on the floor where there is difficulty in reaching. Rescue continues. First try to extinguish the fire completely. After this the team will go inside. It will be seen whether anyone is trapped inside. All these relief and rescue work will continue till evening.
