Fire erupts in Srinagar's Maisuma, doused off

Srinagar, April 23: A fire erupted from inside a store in Srinagar's Maisuma on Tuesday evening   even as firefighters brought it under control, preventing a massive damage that could have included tightly-packed residential houses in the area, said an official from the Fire&Emergency department.

If not for the swift call of fire and the cooperation from the people in making way for the firetruck, the congested area would have suffered a massive damage, said a fireman from the department's headquarters.

Talking to reporters on ground, he said, "At 8:02pm we received an information of fire at Gaw Kadal, while another call was received by the Fire Station Red Cross."  He said four firetrucks were deputed from the headquarters.

He said burnt wires inside the shop suggested that an electric short-circuit was  behind the fire. However, he said only investigation could reveal the true nature of the reason. "It could also be because someone threw a cigarette butt," he said.

No reports of injuries to human or animal life is reported, even as the fireman say the fire is completely doused off now.

Meanwhile, the electricity supply to the adjacent areas including Mandir Bagh and Basant Bagh have been snapped.