Short circuit sparks fire in Shahganj, two shops gutted

Allahabad: A fire triggered by a short circuit gutted two shops selling electrical goods in Shahganj area of the city on Monday morning. It took an eight-hour-long rescue operation and 12 fire tenders to put out the blaze, which gutted property worth lakhs.
Chief fire officer (Allahabad) RS Mishra said the fire broke out at 5.30am due to a short circuit at an electrical shop located at the second floor of a complex in Shahganj market.
“It later spread to another shop on the third floor and reached the basement of the complex through a pipe. Though it took around eight hours to extinguish the fire, no loss of lives was reported,” he added.
The electrical equipment and other inflammatory items stored in the basement aggravated the fire, adding to the time spent in putting it out. “It is difficult to ascertain the exact amount property gutted, however, the losses may run over Rs 50 lakh,” said a police official.