A MAJOR fire broke out at Terhi Pulia vegetable market in the Jankipuram ward, Lucknow on Tuesday morning in which vegetables worth lakhs of rupees were burnt to ashes besides 19 makeshift shops that were located inside the mandi premises.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot after locals informed raised an alarm about the fire and after two hours fire-fighters were able to douse the flames. Vendors were caught unawares as the fire broke out in wee hours. Some people believe short-circuit caused the fire as sparks from the high tension wires passing above the vegetable market fell down on the makeshift structures made up of bamboo and plastic sheets.

However no human life was lost in the incident. Senior police officials along with fire officials inspected the place and supervised the entire operation. Many local leaders also reached the spot after hearing the news of fire. As elections are drawing nearer in Lucknow, leaders can’t afford to show their presence and consoled the vegetable traders and vendors. They assured of lending all possible help to them.

Among the vendors who got affected in the fire incident include Abdul Hassan, Ashok, Sarju, Rafiq, Pir Mohammad, Ishtiaq and Raveena Khatoon. Most of the vegetable vendors were locals who live in the nearby Sabauli village. Mostly, potatoes and onions got charred in the fire and traders had a tough time in saving their vegetable from the fire. Till late night they were busy in assorting their vegetables from the heap of burnt vegetables.