📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Kaushlendrapathe
Business
Fire razes hardware shop and service centre in Sarni, Betul, causing million‑rupee loss
✍️ Amar Ujala · Madhya Pradesh
🗓 10 Sep 2026, 04:37 PM
👁 21
A severe fire broke out at a hardware store and a service centre in Sarni, Betul district, destroying inventory of paint and oil and inflicting losses worth several million rupees. Residents said the fire brigade arrived almost an hour later, raising concerns over response time.
A blaze erupted late in the evening at a hardware shop and an adjoining service centre in Sarni, a town in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. The premises stored large quantities of paint and oil, which acted as accelerants and caused the fire to spread rapidly, engulfing the structures within minutes.
Firefighters were dispatched after the alarm was raised, but witnesses reported that the fire brigade reached the site nearly an hour after the flames were first spotted. The delayed response has sparked criticism from locals, who questioned the adequacy of emergency services in the area.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the damage runs into several million rupees, with the inventory of paints, oils and other hardware items completely destroyed. No injuries were reported, but the incident has left shop owners facing significant financial loss.
Authorities have launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the fire and to assess the response time of the fire department. The investigation will also look into safety compliance at commercial establishments storing flammable materials.
The incident underscores the need for stricter enforcement of fire safety norms in small towns and for improving the readiness of local emergency services.
Firefighters were dispatched after the alarm was raised, but witnesses reported that the fire brigade reached the site nearly an hour after the flames were first spotted. The delayed response has sparked criticism from locals, who questioned the adequacy of emergency services in the area.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the damage runs into several million rupees, with the inventory of paints, oils and other hardware items completely destroyed. No injuries were reported, but the incident has left shop owners facing significant financial loss.
Authorities have launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the fire and to assess the response time of the fire department. The investigation will also look into safety compliance at commercial establishments storing flammable materials.
The incident underscores the need for stricter enforcement of fire safety norms in small towns and for improving the readiness of local emergency services.