Fire guts three spare parts shops

Rescuers battle flames for one hour before bringing them under control

RAWALPINDI:

Valuables and goods worth millions were reduced to ashes after a broke out in Afridi Market in Dhoke Ratta on Sunday, witnesses and rescuers said.

Quoting Rescue 1122, Ratta Amral police said that the fire engulfed three major spare parts shops.

Rescue 1122 fire tenders rushed to the scene and battled the huge flames before putting the blaze out after one-and-a-half-hour efforts. The cause of the fire was said to be short-circuiting.

Traders and witnesses launched immediate relief efforts after the rescuers controlled the blaze.

The market owner, Sadaqat Khan, stated that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, which quickly engulfed the shops.

According to the affected shopkeepers, all the items in their shops were either burned or ruined.

The local police registered a report of the incident. The Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) and line staff from the relevant IESCO subdivision also reached the site, where they first disconnected the electricity and later restored it after carrying out the necessary repairs.