With the onset of summer season, incidents of fire have started increasing in the city. In one such case, a grocery shop caught fire late Tuesday night in Belbag area, causing panic among residents. According to information, around 1.05 am, passersby and local residents noticed smoke billowing from the shop. They immediately informed the fire brigade control room and police about the incident. After getting the information, the Department pressed as many as three fire tenders into action. When the fire fighters reached the spot, the fire had already spread across the entire shop, with flames billowing high. Fire fighters broke open the shutter of the shop to gain entry and started efforts to douse the blaze.

 

After nearly one-and-a-half hours of continuous toil, the fire was brought under control. Ankush Agrawal, owner of Kodulal Agrawal Kirana said his grocery store is located at Belbag Tiraha. He had closed the shop around 11 pm and left for home. “I received a call about the fire around 1 am and rushed to the spot. By the time I reached, the shop was completely engulfed in flames,” he said. The exact extent of the damage is yet to be assessed. Preliminary investigation suggests that a short circuit may have caused the fire. Authorities have started further inquiry into the incident. No casualties were reported.