Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Fire Exposes Safety Failures in Jaipur’s UNESCO-Recognised Market
A fire started early Thursday in a busy market in Jaipur.
The market is part of a UNESCO-listed heritage area and is close to Hawa Mahal.
Nobody was hurt because the fire began before the market became crowded.
Firefighters needed about four hours to control the flames.
Equipment installed to fight fires was reportedly not working.
The hydrants had no water, so firefighters brought hoses from elsewhere.
The market’s narrow lanes also made it difficult for fire trucks to enter.
Police are checking whether an electrical short circuit caused the fire, while traders are asking officials to improve safety.
A fire began around 7 a.m. Thursday at Purohit Ji ka Katla in Jaipur’s Parkota Bazar.
Firefighters took about four hours to control the blaze, and no casualties were reported.
Installed firefighting systems were reportedly switched off, while hydrants were jammed, dry, and unusable.
Narrow market lanes forced crews to bring hoses from outside and lay pipes by hand.
Police are investigating a suspected short circuit, while traders and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot demanded accountability.
- Who
- Firefighters, Civil Defence personnel, market traders, police, and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot were involved or quoted.
- What
- A major fire broke out, exposing problems with firefighting equipment and access.
- When
- The fire started around 7 a.m. on Thursday and took about four hours to control.
- Where
- At Purohit Ji ka Katla near Badi Choupad in Jaipur’s Parkota Bazar, about 100 metres from Hawa Mahal.
- Why
- The initial indication was a short circuit in a shop, but police are investigating.
Traders and Critics
Official Position
Responsibility for safety failures
Traders and Critics
Traders and Ashok Gehlot said the municipal corporation should be held accountable for failing to maintain or test the installed firefighting systems.
Official Position
The article reports no response from municipal officials and does not establish their explanation for the equipment’s condition.
Prior warnings
Traders and Critics
The traders’ association said it had repeatedly raised concerns with the municipal corporation without receiving action.
Official Position
The article provides no documented official response confirming or disputing those warnings.
- Reported casualties
- No casualties were reported.
- Firefighting duration
- About four hours.
- Fire equipment cost
- Approximately Rs 4 crore was spent on equipment installed about three-and-a-half years ago.
- Equipment condition
- Fire systems were reportedly switched off; hydrants were jammed and dry.
- Market access
- Narrow, old lanes could not accommodate fire trucks.
- Reported business loss
- Trader Rajiv Kumar Jain said goods worth Rs 2.5 crore were destroyed.
- Market tax claim
- Jain said traders collectively pay Rs 40 lakh annually to the corporation.