Major Fire Breaks Out at Empress Mall, Shoppers Evacuated Safely
Nagpur, India: A massive fire broke out at Empress Mall on Saturday evening, causing panic among shoppers. The fire on the first floor is believed to have started due to a short circuit, that began around 7 PM severely damaging a clothing store.
Senior police inspector Macchindra Pandit from Ganeshpeth police station confirmed that no casualties were reported, although there was a brief stampede-like situation as panicked shoppers rushed to exit the building. "The situation could have been much worse, but a timely evacuation prevented any injuries," Pandit said.
The mall's smoke detectors activated the fire alarms immediately, allowing security personnel to guide hundreds of shoppers out safely. As the fire spread to two or three adjacent shops, eight fire tenders arrived at the scene within minutes of the emergency call. They successfully contained the fire to the first floor, preventing further damage to the rest of the mall.
BP Chandankhede, officiating chief fire officer of Nagpur Municipal Corporation's Fire and Emergency Services, praised the swift evacuation. "Cutting off the power supply was crucial in stopping the fire from spreading. Our team managed to contain the fire and minimize the damage," Chandankhede stated.
The fire took several hours to bring under control. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause, with early reports suggesting an electrical short circuit.
In the past, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation had issued notices to the mall management for non-compliance with fire safety norms, including concerns over a narrow fire exit. This incident is expected to increase scrutiny of the mall's safety measures. A full inspection will be conducted to assess the damage and prevent future incidents.
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