India: Fire In Cracker Market; 4 Injured, 150 stalls Gutted In Aurangabad

India: Four persons suffered minor injures, while more than 150 stalls and 40 vehicles were today gutted when a major blaze swept through a firecrackers market  in Central Maharashtra, police officials said.

The blaze started at around 11.45 am in the market set up on the occasion of Diwali at Zilla Parishad Ground in Aurangpura area of the city. Makeshift firecracker stalls are erected on the ground during Diwali every year.

Over 150 cracker stalls went up in flames, while 40 vehicles, mostly two-wheelers, parked in and around the ground were also gutted, they said.

Police and Fire Brigade sources said four people sustained minor injuries.

More than half a dozen fire engines accompanied with water tankers were rushed to the spot and the flames were doused by around around 1 pm.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately known but prima facie it appears a short circuit led to the incident, a Fire Brigade official said.

Smokes laden with harmful chemicals billowed from the market and enveloped the area.

Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and other senior officers visited the spot and took stock of the situation.