230 shops gutted in Faridabad cracker market fire

A massive fire on Saturday broke out at a Diwali cracker market in Dusherra Ground in Faridabad leaving over 230 shops gutted and five persons injured.

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.

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.

Eyewitnesses said the fire might have been triggered by an electrical short-circuit.

The cracker market is organised every year during Diwali in this locality on the outskirts of the national capital.

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.