NEW DELHI: A devastating fire tore through the iconic Nature Bazaar in South Delhi’s Andheria Mor area early Sunday morning, reducing approximately 50 handicraft shops to ashes. The blaze, which broke out during the early hours, triggered a large-scale emergency response from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) to prevent the flames from spreading to adjacent residential pockets in Lado Sarai.
The DFS received the first emergency call at 7:37 am, as thick plumes of black smoke began billowing over the marketplace. Given the temporary and semi-permanent nature of the structures—many constructed with wood, thatch, and fabric—the fire spread with alarming speed. Ten fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the site near the Chhattarpur Metro Station. Firefighters battled for several hours to contain the inferno, which was fueled by the large quantities of combustible handicrafts, textiles, and wooden artifacts stored within the stalls.
While the material damage is reported to be extensive, with dozens of artisans losing their entire inventory, officials confirmed that there have been no casualties or injuries reported so far. The market was largely empty of visitors at the time the fire ignited, which helped avoid a potential tragedy. Local police cordoned off the Andheria Mor stretch to facilitate the movement of water tankers and manage the crowds that gathered as the smoke became visible from kilometres away.
Cooling operations continued well into the afternoon to ensure no hidden embers could reignite the parched structures. While the exact cause of the fire is currently under investigation, preliminary suspicions point toward a potential short circuit in the market’s internal electrical wiring. The incident has cast a shadow over the local artisan community, which relies on the weekend crowds at Nature Bazaar for their livelihood.
