7 shops gutted in fire in Delhi market

New Delhi: A fire broke out at an oil market in north-west Delhi’s Mongolpuri today, gutting seven shops, after which police booked a businessman for setting ablaze a shop to settle score with its owner.

There was, however, no casualty.

“We received a call around 6 AM and 15 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire was doused around 8.30 AM…

Seven shops, including a footwear stall, were gutted in the fire. There was no casualty,” a senior official from Delhi Fire Services said.

Police said the fire was plotted by Vikas, who owns a shop in the area, in order to settle score with another shopkeeper, Hitesh, with whom he had a quarrel over keeping goods outside his shop.

“Hitesh used to keep his wares outside Vikas’ shop which would enrage him. He had asked Hitesh to remove the goods but the latter failed to do so. This made Vikas angry and he set the shop afire,” said a senior police officer.

Vikas’ role emerged during investigation as a few persons had seen him setting fire to the shop, he added.

Vikas is a resident of Moolchand Colony and has been absconding since the incident, said MN Tiwari, DCP (outer).

“A case under Section 436 IPC (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc) has been registered and raids are being conducted to arrest Vikas,” the officer said.

Meanwhile, two more incidents of fire were reported from west and northwest Delhi. No casualty was reported in both the incidents.

A fire broke out in a tyre godown in west Delhi’s Mundka area yesterday. A fire call was received at 11:30 PM and five fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the fire was controlled by 7 AM today, said a fire department official.

Another fire broke out in a goods factory in northwest Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area around 11:50 PM yesterday and 11 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, said the official.

The fire was brought under control by 2 AM, he said.