A massive fire that broke out at a warehouse storing plastic and packaging materials in Ujjain district continued to rage for over 15 hours on Monday, prompting a large-scale firefighting operation involving five fire tenders and 28 water tankers.

The incident occurred at Vikram Trading Company, located near the Ujjain railway crossing in Badnagar. According to the warehouse owner, Narpat Singh, the fire reportedly started around midnight. However, he became aware of the incident nearly two hours later, by which time a major portion of the warehouse had already been engulfed in flames.

Five Fire Tenders Battle Blaze

Fire officials received information about the blaze at around 3 am, following which fire tenders from both Badnagar and Ujjain were rushed to the spot. Despite continuous firefighting efforts, the flames could not be brought completely under control due to the highly combustible plastic and packaging material stored inside the warehouse.

To support the operation, 28 water tankers were arranged as firefighters continued efforts to prevent the fire from spreading further.

Residential Area, Petrol Pump Raise Safety Concerns

Authorities expressed concern as the warehouse is located close to a residential locality and a petrol pump. Officials prioritised preventing the fire from reaching nearby structures, while police and local administration monitored the situation throughout the day.

As a precautionary measure, access around the affected area was restricted while emergency teams remained deployed.

Loss Estimated Above ₹1 Crore

The warehouse owner estimated that the fire has caused losses exceeding ₹1 crore. He also said the intense heat had weakened one of the warehouse walls, and authorities were preparing to demolish the damaged section to facilitate firefighting operations and prevent a possible collapse.

Short Circuit Suspected

Preliminary findings suggest the blaze may have been triggered by a short circuit, although officials said the exact cause will be confirmed only after a detailed investigation.

No casualties or injuries had been reported till the filing of this report.

The district administration has launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the incident and assess the full extent of the damage once the fire is completely extinguished.

Officials scramble as second blaze in three days raises safety concerns; Bijapur DFO removed following Rs 10 crore loss

A government tendu leaf warehouse in Bastar's Sargipal area went up in flames on Wednesday evening, destroying nearly 1,000 sacks of stored leaves. The incident marks the second major fire at a tendu leaf storage facility in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region within just three days.

Firefighting teams and forest department personnel took several hours to bring the blaze under control. No casualties have been reported.

Stock from Sukma destroyed

The gutted stock belonged to neighbouring Sukma district and was approximately one year old, according to forest department officials. It had been kept at the Sargipal facility for safekeeping.

Initial assessments suggest a short circuit may have triggered the fire, though officials said investigations are still underway. "The exact cause will be confirmed only after a thorough inspection," a forest department source told reporters on condition of anonymity.

Bijapur fire loss crosses Rs 10 crore

Monday's fire at a private tendu leaf warehouse in Bijapur district has turned out to be far more devastating. Approximately 18,000 sacks were reduced to ashes, with initial damage estimates crossing Rs 10 crore.

The Bijapur incident has triggered administrative action. State forest minister Kedarnath Kashyap held a high-level review meeting following the blaze, after which Bijapur Divisional Forest Officer Ramesh Kumar Jangade was removed from his post.

Sagar Jadhav has been appointed as the new DFO. Officials have been directed to conduct an impartial investigation into the matter.

Insurance angle under scrutiny

Authorities are now examining whether the massive stock losses are linked to any insurance claim irregularities. Tendu leaf inventories of this scale are typically insured, raising questions about possible foul play.

Forest department officials confirmed they will investigate whether the warehouses had adequate safety measures in place, if the tendu leaf stock was properly insured, and what precisely caused both fires.

So far, no official confirmation has emerged regarding any insurance connection.

What happens next

Forest department teams remain at both sites conducting damage assessments. Officials said enhanced safety protocols for tendu leaf storage facilities across the region are likely to be reviewed in the coming days.

The back-to-back incidents have also raised concerns among tendu leaf collectors and local stakeholders who depend on the trade for their livelihoods. Tendu leaves are a major non-timber forest produce in Chhattisgarh, forming a crucial source of income for thousands of families in Bastar division.