Surat: A roadside firecracker stall at Kiran Chowk in Puna caught fire late Monday, destroying its stock in minutes and causing panic among residents and commuters. No injuries were reported and the blaze was contained before it spread to other stalls.The fire broke out at a stall where crackers had been on display on the footpath. There was traffic and pedestrian movement in area when the incident occurred, causing alarm among those nearby.The cause of the fire was not immediately known. The crackers ignited and were destroyed within minutes, leaving little time for bystanders to react.Officials said such incidents are reported every year and are a hazard for residents, motorists and pedestrians. They said a major concern is that many stalls operate without the required permissions while storing large quantities of crackers in the open.“Selling crackers this way in the open and on roadsides without firefighting equipment is dangerous. If police tell them to leave, they set up the stall at some other location but remain beside roads,” a fire department official said.Authorities have repeatedly warned against illegal roadside sale of firecrackers and stressed the need for designated vending spaces, basic fire-safety arrangements and enforcement measures to prevent such incidents.
