A massive fire broke out at the City Mall in Kota on Wednesday morning, leading to widespread panic among those present on the premises. As the fire spread, people were seen rushing out of the building to save their lives, causing a chaotic situation. Upon receiving the information, fire brigade units rushed to the spot and initiated firefighting operations, while a large crowd gathered outside the mall as rescue teams worked diligently to ensure that everyone inside was safely evacuated.
Emergency Response and Fire Control
More than a dozen fire tenders were deployed to the site to battle the raging flames. After intensive efforts, the fire has been brought almost entirely under control. Authorities have confirmed that there have been no casualties in the incident. As a precautionary measure, residents of nearby houses were asked to evacuate, while police and administrative teams arrived promptly to oversee the situation. The fire caused thick smoke to engulf the entire area, creating visibility issues for the rescue teams and onlookers.
Impact and Damage Assessment
According to eyewitnesses, the fire originated in an area where the showrooms had not yet opened for the day, while the mall is located in close proximity to several coaching centers, an area densely populated by students who frequently visit the mall for recreation. Since the fire occurred early in the morning, the footfall was relatively low, which prevented a potential tragedy. However, the blaze was severe enough to completely gut five shops, leaving them in ashes. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
Administrative Action and Safety Measures
The Superintendent of Police (SP) stated that because the mall wasn't fully operational at the time of the incident, no loss of life occurred. The fire is now under control. Nearby coaching institutes were evacuated as a safety protocol. Personnel from the Kota Municipal Corporation's fire department and Civil Defense teams remain on-site. Authorities are currently conducting a thorough inspection to check for the presence of gas cylinders or any other flammable materials that could pose a further risk.