A fire broke out in a tyre warehouse located on the ground floor of a four-storey building in Sanjay Market in Jaipur on Tuesday afternoon, with firefighting operations underway.
Fire Breaks Out in Tyre Warehouse
The incident occurred in Mishra Ji Ki Gali, a narrow lane in the busy commercial area, where a tyre warehouse was operating on the lower floor of the building. According to initial information, the fire started at around 12:45 pm. Thick smoke quickly spread across the area, causing panic among shopkeepers and local residents.
Fire brigade vehicles reached the spot shortly after the incident was reported. Local police also arrived and began evacuating people and securing the area.
Narrow Lane Hampers Rescue Operations
The narrow layout of Mishra Ji Ki Gali posed challenges for firefighting efforts, as the movement of fire engines and equipment was initially hindered. A large number of tyres stored on the ground floor intensified the fire due to their highly flammable nature.
Smoke spread rapidly to the upper floors of the building. Firefighters focused on preventing the blaze from spreading to upper floors and nearby shops while continuing extinguishing efforts.
Dense and Toxic Smoke from Burning Tyres
The burning tyres produced dense and toxic smoke, reducing visibility in the area and causing breathing difficulties for people nearby. As a precaution, surrounding shops were temporarily shut.
Local traders reported that the market was engulfed in smoke within minutes of the fire breaking out. Many shopkeepers began removing goods from their premises to minimise potential losses.
Firefighters used water and foam to control the blaze, as tyre fires tend to smoulder for longer durations compared to other fires.
Questions Raised Over Fire Safety Measures
The building is reported to be four storeys high, with the warehouse on the lower level and other floors used for different purposes. Questions have been raised regarding the adequacy of fire safety arrangements in the structure.
Storage of highly flammable materials such as tyres in narrow and densely populated areas has long been considered a safety concern. Experts note that large-scale storage of tyres, chemicals, cloth, and plastic in such areas can be hazardous.
Police and Administration Manage Situation
Local police, including Lal Kothi police station personnel, regulated movement in the area and advised people to maintain a safe distance. Police assisted in crowd control, clearing access routes, and supporting firefighting teams.
The local administration continued to monitor the situation.
No major casualties have been confirmed so far. However, damage to goods stored in the warehouse is likely. The exact extent of losses will be assessed after the fire is fully brought under control.
Panic in Market Area
The incident caused panic in Sanjay Market and nearby areas. Several shopkeepers shut their establishments, and people were seen moving out of lanes to avoid the smoke.
Local residents stated that warehouses operating in narrow lanes pose a continuous risk and called for regular inspection of safety standards by authorities.
Some also suggested strengthening fire safety drills and emergency exit arrangements in market areas to reduce losses during such incidents.
Urban Fire Safety Concerns Highlighted
The incident has again drawn attention to fire safety challenges in densely populated and older market areas of Jaipur. Narrow lanes, storage of flammable materials, limited access for firefighting vehicles, and inadequate evacuation routes often complicate rescue operations.
Experts have suggested regular safety audits in market areas, especially in buildings where flammable materials are stored. Traders are also advised to ensure the availability of firefighting equipment, emergency evacuation plans, and basic staff training.
Firefighting Efforts Continue
Fire department teams continue efforts to control the blaze, with the immediate priority being to prevent its spread to adjacent areas.
The cause of the fire has not yet been officially confirmed. Possible factors such as short circuit, excessive heat, or other technical reasons will be investigated.
Authorities have urged the public not to pay attention to rumours and to avoid obstructing rescue operations.
