Jaisalmer: A massive fire broke out at the Nachna bus stand market in Jaisalmer district late Wednesday night, gutting six cloth shops and destroying goods worth lakhs. The blaze spread rapidly through several wooden cabins, causing panic among shopkeepers and locals who rushed to help douse the fire.Police and civil administration reached the spot. The Army and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) were also called in to assist with firefighting. After sustained efforts by villagers, police and civil administration personnel, Army and BRO, the fire was eventually brought under control. A fire tender was also rushed to the spot from Pokhran, around 90 km away.According to information received, a police team was patrolling through the Nachna bus stand late Wednesday night when it noticed flames and smoke rising from the roadside market.Many economically weaker families suffered monetary losses in the incident. A short circuit is suspected to be the initial cause of the fire, though the exact cause is yet to be ascertained.Villagers said Nachna is surrounded by agricultural and forest areas, and fire incidents are reported in the region, particularly during summer months. They pointed out that the area does not have a permanent fire station, forcing authorities to call fire tenders from Pokhran, nearly 90 km away, or Jaisalmer, around 130 km away.Residents said the delay in arrival of fire tenders often allows fire to spread rapidly; they have been demanding a permanent fire brigade facility at Nachna for a long time.
