Jabalpur slum fire leaves several families homeless ahead of Diwali

At least 15 shanties were gutted in a fire that broke out at a slum settlement in Ghazi Nagar, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, early Saturday. No casualties have been reported so far, officials said.
The fire broke out around 2 am in the settlement near Lema Garden, under the jurisdiction of Gohalpur police station. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing adjoining hutments and destroying household belongings, clothes, foodgrains and other essential items.Following information about the blaze, multiple fire engines and water tankers were rushed to the spot. Around eight to nine fire tenders were deployed, while police personnel, fire brigade teams and electricity department officials joined the rescue and firefighting operations. Ambulances were also stationed at the site as a precautionary measure.
Firefighter Om Prakash Ahirwar said the police control room received information about the incident around 2 am, following which firefighting vehicles and water tankers were immediately dispatched.

#WATCH | Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh: Firefighter Om Prakash Ahirwar said, "Information was received by the police control room at 2:00 am that slums in Gazinagar had caught fire. Upon getting the information, we immediately dispatched firefighting vehicles and water tanks and started the rescue efforts... We will soon control the situation..."

— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2026

Deputy Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Gour said the fire had been largely brought under control and no casualties had been reported. Around 40 to 50 families were believed to be residing in the affected settlement, while the exact extent of the damage was yet to be assessed.The blaze has left several families without shelter and destroyed their household possessions just days before Diwali. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, officials said.