Jaipur Tripolia Bazaar fire guts 20+ shops at Sethi Complex
Synopsis
A morning blaze ripped through Jaipur's historic Tripolia Bazaar on 17 September, gutting more than 20 shops and warehouses in a densely packed commercial complex. Traders are now raising serious questions about an allegedly illegal rooftop restaurant and firefighting equipment that reportedly failed to function — pointing to a fire safety crisis hiding in plain sight in India's old-city markets.
Key Takeaways
A major fire broke out at 7 am on 17 September 2026 at Sethi Complex Manihari Katla in Jaipur's Tripolia Bazaar , Rajasthan.
More than 20 shops and warehouses — including clothing warehouses, plastic goods shops, and bangle stores — were reportedly affected.
Five fire tenders reached the site by around 8 am and began firefighting operations.
Narrow lanes and highly flammable stock made containment difficult; firefighters struggled particularly on the second floor.
Traders allege an illegal restaurant was operating above the fire origin point and that installed firefighting equipment was non-functional — claims not yet independently verified.
The exact cause and total damage remain under assessment; authorities are expected to probe fire safety compliance.
A massive fire broke out at approximately 7 am on Thursday, 17 September 2026, at Sethi Complex Manihari Katla — also known as Purohit Ji Ka Katla — in Jaipur's Tripolia Bazaar, Rajasthan, engulfing more than 20 shops and warehouses in a densely packed commercial hub. The blaze spread rapidly through clothing warehouses, plastic goods shops, and bangle stores before firefighting crews could contain it.
How the Fire Spread
According to initial reports, the fire reportedly ignited in goods stored in cartons outside a clothing shop on the second floor of the complex. Thick smoke and flames quickly became visible from Subhash Chowk toward Chandpole, a landmark stretch of Jaipur's historic walled city. Personnel from the nearby Manak Chowk police station spotted the smoke, rushed to the site, and alerted the fire department. By around 8 am, five fire tenders had arrived and commenced firefighting operations.
Challenges on the Ground
Firefighters faced considerable difficulty bringing the blaze under control, particularly in the shops and warehouses on the upper floor. The narrow lanes of Tripolia Bazaar — a characteristic of Jaipur's old city — restricted vehicle access, while the presence of highly flammable materials including textiles and plastic goods intensified the challenge. Shopkeepers scrambled to move merchandise to safer locations, and some traders were seen attempting to douse the flames with buckets of water as professional crews worked the scene.
Traders Raise Safety and Compliance Questions
A large crowd of traders and bystanders gathered at the site, with several merchants raising concerns about a restaurant reportedly operating above the floor where the fire originated. Traders alleged the eatery is being run illegally and claimed that a fire had previously broken out on the rooftop during Makar Sankranti, which they linked to the same establishment. They said a complaint was subsequently filed at the Manak Chowk police station at that time.
Traders further alleged that while the building developer holds a Fire NOC from the fire department, the firefighting equipment installed at the site was reportedly not functioning properly at the time of the incident. These claims have not yet been independently verified, and authorities are expected to assess the building's fire safety arrangements once the situation is brought under control.
What Comes Next
The exact cause of the blaze and the full extent of financial and structural damage are yet to be determined as firefighting and containment operations remain ongoing. Investigators are expected to examine the building's compliance with fire safety norms, the status of the alleged illegal restaurant, and the condition of the installed firefighting equipment. The incident spotlights recurring fire safety concerns in Jaipur's old city markets, where dense construction and flammable inventories create persistent risk.
Point of View
A previous rooftop fire during Makar Sankranti, a complaint apparently ignored, and fire equipment that reportedly did not work despite a valid NOC — describe a pattern of enforcement gaps, not a one-off accident. Jaipur's walled-city markets have long been flagged as tinderboxes, combining heritage-era narrow lanes, dense flammable inventory, and inconsistent safety oversight. Until authorities treat Fire NOC compliance as an ongoing inspection obligation rather than a one-time clearance, incidents like Tripolia Bazaar will keep recurring — and the traders left holding the bill will remain those who played by the rules.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly did the Jaipur Tripolia Bazaar fire break out?
The fire broke out at Sethi Complex Manihari Katla, also known as Purohit Ji Ka Katla, inside Jaipur's Tripolia Bazaar in Rajasthan. The complex houses clothing warehouses, plastic goods shops, and bangle stores, and the blaze reportedly started in goods stored in cartons outside a clothing shop on the second floor.
How many shops were affected in the Jaipur Tripolia Bazaar fire?
More than 20 shops and warehouses were reportedly affected by the blaze, according to initial reports. The full extent of the damage is yet to be officially confirmed, as firefighting operations were still ongoing.
What caused the fire at Sethi Complex in Jaipur?
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined by authorities. Initial reports suggest the fire started in goods stored in cartons outside a clothing shop on the second floor of the complex. An investigation is expected once the blaze is fully contained.
What are traders alleging about fire safety at the building?
Traders allege that a restaurant operating above the floor where the fire broke out is doing so illegally, and that a similar fire had occurred on the rooftop during Makar Sankranti — with a complaint reportedly lodged at Manak Chowk police station at the time. They also claim that firefighting equipment in the building was not functioning properly, despite the developer holding a Fire NOC. These claims have not yet been independently verified.
What is the current status of firefighting operations at Tripolia Bazaar?
As of the latest reports, five fire tenders were deployed and firefighting operations were actively underway. Crews faced difficulty controlling the blaze on the upper floor due to narrow lanes and highly flammable materials. Containment was ongoing and a formal damage assessment had not yet been completed.
