PROPERTY worth several lakhs of rupees gutted after fire broke out at a grocery shop and spread to the adjoining garment shop located at Zone-II in Khursipar, Bhilai during early hours on Friday. However, no one was hurt in the mishap. On receiving the information, the fire fighting squads from Home Guard, Durg reached the troubled location and doused the fire completely. The shops owner alleged delayed response by the fire fighting agency. According to the information at about 1:30 am on Friday, flames with emission of thick smoke spotted at Mohan Kirana, the grocery shop and it soon turned into a massive fire as it engulfed the adjoining My Like Garment and Tailoring Shop at Zone-II in Khursipar, Bhilai. After information, fire fighting squads from Home Guard, Durg reached the spot and pressed water tenders into services and doused fire completely.

 

The shops were having go-downs hence it took long to douse fire completely. With pressing four water tenders into services the fire fighters doused fire completely. Krishna Reddy, the owner of the shops told the newspaper that they live at upstairs of the shops and he along with the family members managed to runaway safe prior to spreading to fire. The fire broke out following emission of smoke and that grocery items and garments worth over rupees 60 lakh cumulatively at the shops gutted, but he is yet to calculate the estimate loss due to fire mishap. Only the go-downs of the shops were under insurance. He further informed that the fire might have occurred due to short circuit. He also alleged fire brigade services of delayed response.

 

Nagendra Singh, Commandant, Home Guard informed that after information the fire fighting squad reached the spot immediately with maintaining minimum possible response time. He also added that they pressed four water tenders into services to douse fire. To a query regarding alleged delayed response, Commandant Singh replied that it lacked the substance as he had personally recorded information and reporting time. He regretted that even big shop owners also lacked necessary fire safety provisions and extingushiers at their respective establishments.