Jaipur Walled City fire: MLA flags 3-year gap in NOC checks after Sethi Complex blaze
Synopsis
A fire that gutted more than 20 shops in Jaipur's heritage Walled City has exposed a potentially dangerous gap: a local MLA alleges fire safety systems went uninspected for nearly three years, and traders say the installed equipment simply did not work when it was needed most. With police probing both a short circuit and an illegal welding-work theory, the incident raises hard questions about civic oversight in one of India's most densely built historic precincts.
Key Takeaways
A fire broke out at Sethi Complex, Tripolia Bazaar , Jaipur , at approximately 7 am on 17 September 2026 , engulfing more than 20 shops and warehouses .
Kishanpole MLA Amin Kagzi alleged fire safety systems in the area had not been inspected in nearly three years and demanded a re-examination of all Fire NOCs.
More than 15 fire brigade vehicles were deployed; electricity to the area was disconnected as a precaution.
Manak Chowk SHO Rakesh Khyaliya cited a preliminary finding of short circuit ; a separate allegation links the fire to welding work on an upper-floor construction project — unconfirmed and under investigation.
Traders alleged the installed fire safety equipment was non-functional at the time of the blaze, despite a Fire NOC being in place.
The full extent of damage and the final cause of the fire are yet to be established.
A massive fire broke out at Sethi Complex in Tripolia Bazaar, Jaipur, on Thursday, 17 September 2026, engulfing more than 20 shops and warehouses and triggering sharp political and civic accountability questions over fire safety oversight in the city's historic Walled City zone. Kishanpole MLA Amin Kagzi publicly questioned the functioning of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation and demanded a re-examination of all fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) issued in the area, alleging that fire safety systems had not been inspected even once in nearly three years.
How the Fire Broke Out
The blaze was reported at approximately 7 am at Maniharon Ka Katla, popularly known as Purohit Ji Ka Katla, inside Sethi Complex. According to preliminary accounts, the fire reportedly started in goods stored in cartons outside a clothing shop on the second floor before spreading rapidly to adjacent establishments. The affected units included clothing warehouses, plastic goods shops, and bangle stores.
Thick smoke and flames were visible as far as Subhash Chowk towards Chandpole. Police personnel from the nearby Manak Chowk police station noticed the smoke and alerted the fire department. Fire tenders began arriving around 8 am, and more than 15 fire brigade vehicles were ultimately deployed to fight the blaze. The electricity supply to the area was disconnected as a precautionary measure.
Firefighting Challenges and Eyewitness Accounts
Firefighters faced significant difficulties due to the narrow lanes characteristic of the Walled City and the large volume of combustible goods stored inside the shops and warehouses. Eyewitness and guard Vikram Singh said the fire appeared to have originated in a bangle and general merchandise warehouse and spread after coming into contact with goods stored in the veranda. Singh said he and three sanitation workers were inside the warehouse when the fire intensified — they broke the lock and lifted the shutter to escape. He sustained a burn injury to his hand from contact with the hot shutter.
Some shopkeepers were seen attempting to douse the flames with buckets of water, while others moved their stock to safer locations. Police cordoned off access to Purohit Ji Ka Katla as a precaution, and Civil Defence personnel assisted firefighters in containing the blaze.
Cause Under Investigation: Welding Work Allegation
Manak Chowk SHO Rakesh Khyaliya said preliminary investigation indicated the fire was caused by a short circuit. However, a local trader alleged separately that the owner of Sethi Complex had been carrying out construction of a restaurant and hotel on the upper floor, with welding work reportedly taking place in the mornings. Another trader claimed a spark from the welding work may have fallen onto the goods stored below and triggered the blaze. The trader — identified as Chandwani — said residents and shopkeepers had previously raised objections but that municipal authorities had taken no action.
Notably, this claim has not been independently established, and the police investigation into the precise cause of the fire remains ongoing. Police have also stated they will verify whether the concerned shop owner held a valid Fire NOC.
MLA Raises Fire Safety Accountability Questions
The fire has reignited concerns about fire preparedness in Jaipur's Walled City, a UNESCO-recognised heritage precinct with dense, narrow-lane construction that presents acute firefighting challenges. MLA Amin Kagzi alleged that fire safety equipment in the complex was not functioning when the fire broke out, despite an NOC having been obtained. He further alleged that illegal encroachments were occurring under the government's watch and were degrading the heritage character of the zone.
Traders echoed these concerns, alleging that although fire safety equipment had been installed and a Fire NOC had been obtained, the system was non-functional at the time of the fire. The allegations regarding the NOC status and the condition of safety equipment will require verification by the relevant authorities. The full extent of damage and the final determination of cause are expected once the firefighting operation concludes and the investigation is completed.
Point of View
It points to systemic regulatory neglect in one of India's most fire-vulnerable urban zones, where dense lane networks and high combustible loads make every delayed response catastrophic. The coexistence of a valid NOC and allegedly non-functional safety equipment exposes the hollow-compliance problem endemic to Indian fire regulation: paperwork is obtained, physical systems are ignored. Jaipur's heritage status brings tourist revenue and UNESCO recognition, but neither has translated into the street-level enforcement that could prevent the next blaze.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Jaipur Sethi Complex fire on 17 September 2026?
A major fire broke out at Sethi Complex in Tripolia Bazaar, Jaipur, at around 7 am on 17 September 2026, spreading to more than 20 shops and warehouses including clothing stores, plastic goods shops, and bangle stores. More than 15 fire brigade vehicles were deployed, and electricity to the area was cut as a precaution.
What has Kishanpole MLA Amin Kagzi alleged about fire safety in Jaipur's Walled City?
MLA Amin Kagzi alleged that fire safety systems in the Walled City had not been inspected even once in nearly three years, and called for a re-examination of all Fire NOCs issued in the area. He also alleged that illegal encroachments were occurring under the government's watch, degrading the heritage character of the zone.
What is the suspected cause of the Tripolia Bazaar fire?
Police have cited a preliminary finding of a short circuit as the likely cause. Separately, a local trader alleged that welding work being carried out on an upper-floor construction project may have sent a spark onto goods stored below. That allegation has not been independently confirmed, and the investigation is ongoing.
Were fire safety systems in place at Sethi Complex?
Traders alleged that fire safety equipment had been installed and a Fire NOC had been obtained, but the safety system was not functioning when the fire broke out. These allegations are yet to be verified by the relevant authorities.
Why is fire safety in Jaipur's Walled City particularly challenging?
Jaipur's Walled City features narrow lanes and densely packed, centuries-old structures with high volumes of combustible goods stored in shops and warehouses — conditions that significantly hinder firefighting access and accelerate the spread of fire. Firefighters at Sethi Complex reported direct difficulties due to restricted space and large quantities of stored stock.
