A major fire broke out at the popular Dilli Haat market in South Delhi’s INA area on Wednesday evening, causing significant damage to several food stalls and handicraft shops. The blaze, which erupted around 8.55 pm, has since been brought under control, officials said.
According to the Delhi Fire Service, fourteen fire engines were rushed to the scene immediately after the alarm was raised. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
“We received a call regarding fire at Dilli Haat Market INA at 8.55 pm and have deployed 13 fire engines at the spot. Further operation is underway,” an official in the Delhi Fire Services told news agency PTI.
Smoke was seen bellowing from the stalls and flames leapt towards the sky as the blaze swept the popular art and craft mart. A total of 30 shops were gutted in the fire.
Shopkeepers report massive losses
Dilli Haat, a vibrant marketplace inspired by traditional Indian village bazaars, is a major attraction for both locals and tourists. It features handcrafted goods from across the country and serves cuisine from various Indian states. The market was moderately crowded at the time of the incident.
Some vendors reported extensive losses. “Several food stalls and shops have been gutted,” said one stall owner.
One of the shop owners told PTI that goods worth at least ₹10 crore have been destroyed, while another, Shauket Ahmed, said that he had suffered a loss of at least ₹1.5 crore.
“We don’t know how the fire broke out, but we could not save anything,” he said.
The owner of another shop damaged by the blaze said, as quoted by PTI, “I have lost my entire life’s savings. We had set up this stall by taking a loan… Everything we earned over the years is gone.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Art, Culture and Language of Delhi Kapil Mishra in a post on X said, “The fire at Delhi Haat has been brought under control. There are no reports of any casualties in the fire.
“Fire department and administration are present at the spot. I am going to Delhi Haat,” he said.
