A devastating fire that broke out at Ganesh Fancy Store, located in Mukadmaganj area early Saturday morning caused extensive damage to property. The fire broke out at around 3 am, when flames rapidly engulfed all three floors of the general store building. On receiving the information, teams from the

 

Fire Department of the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation rushed to the spot. It took nearly four hours of continuous effort and the deployment of six fire tenders to bring the blaze under control. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported, but merchandise, furniture, air conditioners and other allied goods worth about Rs 50 lakh was completely destroyed. According to the shop owner, he was informed about the fire in the early hours. Immediately he rushed to the site and saw entire building ablaze.

 

All three floors were covered in flames, there was nothing we could do but watch helplessly, he said. Local residents, however, criticised the JMC, alleging that the response was delayed and equipment was inadequate. They said that the lack of high ladders and advanced fire fighting tools slowed down the operation. If better resources had been available, the fire could have been extinguished in an hour instead of taking three to four hours.

 

Spokesman of fire department informed that the fire fighting team reached the site promptly after receiving the call. They first broke open the shutters using a JCB and then began dousing the fire from inside. More than six fire tenders were pressed into service. He added that the timely operation prevented the flames from spreading to nearby shops and residential houses. The fire has now been completely extinguished. The police and fire department have begun an investigation to determine the exact cause of the blaze.