While the 21 fire tenders, despatched from 15 fire stations across the city, were able to reach the entrance of Commercial Street within no time, it took no less than 20 minutes to navigate through the weekend crowd in this shopping' area.
Irked by the lack of any traffic control or restrictions imposed on this road, hardly half-a-kilometre from the site of a major fire accident, Fire and Emergency Services personnel complained to the Police Department.
Weekend shoppers and traders went about business as usual for a good 30 minutes after news about the fire had spread. Fire engines were seen waiting near Commercial Street, Jumma Musjid Road and Veerapillai Street for cars and motorists to clear out.
