Thu Mar 27 12:13:14 UTC 2025: ## Coonoor Market Fire: Over 20 Shops Destroyed in Seven-Hour Blaze

**UDHAGAMANDALAM, March 27, 2025** – A massive fire ravaged the over 150-year-old Coonoor Municipal Market on Wednesday night, destroying more than 20 shops and causing an estimated ₹50 lakh in damages. The blaze, which began around 11 p.m., burned for over seven hours before being brought under control.

Fire tenders from across the Nilgiris district, including Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, and Kotagiri, along with resources from the Cordite factory and the Madras Regimental Center, battled the inferno. Private water tankers were also deployed to supplement the firefighting efforts.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials suspect an electrical short circuit or improperly extinguished flame. However, following allegations of arson by merchants who opposed the municipality’s planned market redevelopment, the Nilgiris district police have taken over the investigation. No evidence supporting these claims has yet been found.

Firefighters faced significant challenges due to the market’s narrow access paths and congested streets, hindering their ability to effectively deploy equipment. The lack of fire safety measures within the market also complicated efforts.

Nilgiris District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru and District Superintendent of Police N.S.Nisha were on-site overseeing the firefighting operation. The incident has resulted in significant losses for the affected shopkeepers.

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