20000112

40 shops, 20 godowns

gutted in fruit

market fire

RECORDER REPORT

HYDERABAD: A sudden fire on Monday-Tuesday night at Fruit Market across the Khawja Gharib Nawaz Bridge, Hali Road engulfed about 40 shops and godowns out of which 20 were completely gutted causing a loss of millions of rupees.

According to reports, the fire broke out around 11.15 pm when a spark occurred at an electric pole located in the middle of the market, under which some empty wooden crates were lying.

The spark ignited a fire in the wooden crates creating confalgration due to the winds.

The first fire tender reached the spot after an hour, which was followed by some others.

Water for fire tenders was not available here so they had to fetch it from Jamshoro.

A three storey godown and its adjacent steel shed located in the fruit market near the pole from where fire had started, were completely gutted.

The owners of the affected shops were seen cleaning their gutted shops.

Talking to Business Recorder they severely criticised the market committee officials and HMC administrator who had not visited the affected area till the next evening.

They, however, praised the efforts of Deputy Commissioner Rizwan Ahmed, SDM City Sohail Rajput and DSP, Site for their cooperation.

They said that all the three officials reached the spot the same night and remained their for several hours.