Gaffar Market Fire: Mobile Batteries Fuel Blaze
A four-storey commercial building in Delhi's Gaffar Market caught fire early Friday, with mobile batteries suspected as the ignition source. No casualties were reported.
The Cliff News | 6 November 2026
A significant fire erupted in a four-storey commercial building located in Delhi's bustling Gaffar Market, Karol Bagh, during the early hours of Friday, November 6, 2026. The building primarily housed a mobile accessories shop.
The blaze was reported at approximately 1:28 a.m. According to DCP (Central Delhi) Rohit Rajbir Singh, initial investigations suggest the fire originated in a ground-floor shop where a substantial quantity of mobile batteries were stored. The fire subsequently spread rapidly, engulfing all four floors of the structure.
Emergency Response and Firefighting Efforts
In response to the emergency, a large contingent of emergency services was dispatched to the scene. Approximately 20-25 fire tenders, along with three CAT ambulances and two PCR vehicles, were rushed to Gaffar Market to combat the inferno.
Firefighters worked tirelessly to control the spread of the flames. The fire has since been successfully doused. Authorities confirmed that, thankfully, there have been no casualties or injuries reported among civilians or emergency personnel as a result of the incident.
Preliminary Cause and Further Investigations
Preliminary findings from the scene point towards a potential trigger related to the stored mobile batteries. Overheating or overcharging of these batteries is being considered as a possible cause for the ignition.
A thorough investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. Reports from the Fire Department and the Electrical Inspector are awaited. Additionally, a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team will conduct an examination of the building to identify any other combustible materials that may have contributed to the fire's intensity or spread.
Structural Safety Assessment
To ensure public safety and rule out any immediate risks, a structural safety assessment/certificate will be obtained from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). This step is crucial to confirm the building's integrity following the fire incident and to prevent any potential hazards to human life.