Moradabad: A massive fire broke out in a cluster of cloth godowns in Moradabad’s Bhojpur area on Monday evening, eventually spreading to 70 warehouses storing recycled garments. Strong winds exacerbated the blaze, which took 60 firefighters and 10 hours to contain. Fourteen fire tenders, including reinforcements from Rampur, Amroha, and Sambhal, were deployed. Thick smoke and flames were visible from 2 km away.
Traders alleged a two-hour delay in the fire brigade’s arrival, allowing the fire to intensify. "By the time they arrived, the situation was uncontrollable," said Nisar Ahmed, a godown owner. Preliminary estimates peg losses at ₹5 crore, though officials are yet to confirm the figure.
Authorities evacuated nearby homes as a precaution. SP Crime Subhash Chandra Gangwar confirmed no injuries but noted the absence of a local fire station—a long-standing demand of residents. "Short-circuit or careless disposal of cigarettes may have caused the fire," said a trader.
The UP government has ordered a probe into the incident. Firefighters struggled with reigniting embers due to highly flammable materials. CFO KK Ojha stated the cause remains under investigation.
