Fire at cracker market in Faridabad, over 230 shops gutted

Over 230 shops were gutted when a major fire broke out at a Diwali cracker market in Dusherra Ground here this evening, fire department officials said. 

Eyewitnesses said the fire might have been triggered by an electrical short-circuit. A spokesman of the fire department said several fire tenders are engaged in dousing the flames. The cracker market is organised every year during Diwali in this locality on the outskirts of the national capital. 

A release from the office of BJP leader Manohar Lal Khattar, who is set become the new chief minister of Haryana, also said that 20 cars were damaged in the blaze. A spokesman of the fire department said several fire tenders rushed to douse the flames.

Khattar spoke to the Deputy Commissioner, Faridabad and directed him to ensure best medical aid to the injured. He said that the district administration should take effective measures for safety and security at such places. "Khattar also said that compensation would be given to the affected people after assessing the loss of property," Union Minister and Faridabad MP Krishanpal Gujjar said. 

Though there was no immediate report of any casualty, fire officials feared that crackers worth lakhs of rupees may have been damaged in the blaze.