Tension is running high among traders in Khidderpore following a fire that broke out in the market on Sunday. Shopkeepers have called the incident suspicious, alleging it may have been part of a larger conspiracy.
According to traders, there was a sudden power cut in the area for two minutes just before the fire erupted. They claim that once the electricity returned, flames had already engulfed parts of the market. This sequence of events has raised doubts among local business owners, many of whom lost their entire stock in the blaze.
The traders are also angry with the fire brigade, alleging that not only did fire engines arrive late, but they also stood idle for a long time, waiting for a formal order before starting to douse the flames. For many, this delay proved costly, as the fire spread quickly and destroyed several shops.
The incident has intensified frustration among Khidderpore’s trading community, who are now demanding a full investigation into the cause of the fire and the alleged response failure.