Fire Breaks Out In Abandoned House Near Banke Bihari Temple, Fire Brigade Fails To Arrive

Vrindavan: Panic gripped the area near the world-famous Banke Bihari Temple on Wednesday afternoon after a fire suddenly broke out in an abandoned house. Thick black smoke and rising flames triggered fear among residents in the densely populated locality. Police personnel, with the help of local residents, managed to bring the fire under control after nearly an hour of effort. Surprisingly, the fire brigade failed to reach the spot despite being informed.

How Did the Fire Break Out Near the Temple?

The abandoned and dilapidated house is located in a narrow lane near Akola Wali Dharamshala, close to the VIP road leading to Banke Bihari Temple. On Wednesday afternoon, smoke suddenly began rising from the building. Within minutes, it intensified, and huge flames started emerging from the house.

The thick black smoke was reportedly visible from a distance of nearly 500 metres. Initial suspicions suggest that a spark from a firecracker may have fallen on thermocol stored inside the house, triggering the blaze.

Police and Locals Join Hands to Control Fire

After noticing the smoke and flames, local residents immediately informed the police. Sub-Inspector Shiv Kumar Sharma and Constable Aniket, posted at the Banke Bihari Police Outpost, rushed to the spot.

The police personnel, along with local residents, began efforts to extinguish the fire. However, the narrow lanes and densely populated surroundings made firefighting particularly challenging. After nearly an hour of continuous efforts, they finally managed to bring the situation under control.

Fire Brigade's Absence Raises Questions

The incident also raised serious questions about the functioning of the fire department. Police personnel had informed the fire brigade about the blaze, but no fire tender arrived at the location even after nearly an hour.

Meanwhile, police personnel and local residents continued their efforts to control the flames without professional firefighting assistance.

A Major Disaster Could Have Been Avoided

Fortunately, the doors of Banke Bihari Temple were closed at the time of the incident, and the number of devotees in the area had already decreased. Had the fire broken out during temple visiting hours, the situation could have become far more serious due to the heavy movement of devotees through the narrow lanes.

After the fire was finally extinguished, residents heaved a sigh of relief.