Fire Incident
15th March 2026
The Incident
In the early hours of 15 March 2026, a fire broke out at Dastkar Nature Bazaar, Andheria Modh, during the ongoing Bonanza Bazaar. The incident occurred at approximately 7:20 AM, when both the bazaar and Dastkar office were closed. The security team immediately initiated emergency response procedures while the fire department was informed. Multiple fire engines responded to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading further. While 42 stalls were destroyed, there were thankfully no injuries or loss of life. Subsequent forensic investigations identified lightning as the cause of the fire and classified it as an Act of God.
Safety Measures
The Nature Bazaar has long maintained standard fire safety protocols, including fire extinguishers, sand buckets, routine inspections, and regular electrical safety checks. Following the incident, all safety equipment was replenished and additional preventive measures were reviewed and implemented as part of Dastkar's ongoing commitment to improving site safety.
Understanding the Impact
The fire destroyed 42 stalls, including permanent stalls and temporary bazaar spaces, affecting artisan enterprises, NGOs, and craft groups participating in the Bonanza Bazaar. Although structures can be rebuilt, the greatest loss was months of handmade work, inventory prepared for sale, and income that many artisan families depend upon.
42
stalls destroyed
26
occupied stalls
affected
10,000
lives impacted
across artisan families and supply chain
₹10.85 Crore
estimated artisan loss
₹ 50 Lakhs
estimated institution losses
The Fire Relief Fund
The Fire Relief Fund was established to respond quickly to the immediate needs of affected artisans while supporting the restoration of Dastkar Nature Bazaar. The fund has two key objectives:
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Providing timely financial assistance to affected stall holders.
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Rebuilding the damaged infrastructure of Nature Bazaar.
From the outset, supporting artisan livelihoods remained the first priority, with infrastructure restoration progressing alongside the fundraising effort.
FUNDS RECIEVED
₹ 1.59 Crores
RELIEF DISBURSED
₹ 1.57 Crores
Relief & Recovery
In addition to direct financial assistance, Dastkar introduced several relief measures for affected stall holders, including:
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Refund of participation fees
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Waiver of bazaar sales commission
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Refund of security deposits and applicable rent
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Suspension of future rental obligations for permanent stall holders
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A special relief bazaar with complimentary stalls and no sales commission
These measures helped artisans resume selling their work while longer-term rebuilding efforts were underway.
Transparency & Accountability
Transparency has guided every stage of the Fire Relief Fund. Fundraising targets and loss estimates have been shared as working figures and continue to be refined through consultations with affected stall holders, architects, and technical experts. This ongoing assessment ensures that both livelihood losses and infrastructure requirements are represented as accurately as possible.
Dastkar is committed to maintaining clear records of all donations received and funds distributed. Every donor will receive a detailed report outlining how contributions have been allocated and utilised throughout the recovery process. For more than four decades, Dastkar has worked alongside artisan communities with integrity, accountability, and trust. Those values continue to guide every step of the rebuilding effort.
Stand with India's Artisans
Supporting Dastkar helps strengthen artisan-led ecosystems across India. Your contribution directly supports design interventions and long-term engagement with craftspeople.
For any query you can write to us at info@dastkar.org
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