Even as you read this, shopkeepers at Crawford Market are trying to salvage what is left of their shops from Sunday’s fire, which gutted around 50 shops. The acrid smell of smoke still lingered in the air as BMC commissioner, Ajoy Mehta, visited the spot to issue a warning to locals to stay away from the spot.

It is fortunate that no lives were lost in the blaze, though it will be hard going for shopkeepers, who have lost everything. It is time to come down heavily on any large scale encroachment around the market, which closes off exit and entrance avenues.