Salem: Five shops in a commercial complex, which is owned by the Salem Municipal Corporation, were completely destroyed after they went into flames at Suramangalam in the city in the early hours of Sunday.
No one was hurt in the incident. While the loss is estimated at Rs 30 lakh, the cause of fire is said to be short circuit.
There were 20 shops, including a grocery shop, cell phone repairing shop, tea shop and a confectionery shop, in the complex.
According to the district fire officer Velu, around 2am, fire erupted from the grocery shop and started spreading to the neighbouring shops, because of heavy wind.
“Road users alerted the fire and rescue services personnel at Shevapet and Suramangalam. A team led by assistant fire officer Murugesan rushed to the spot and doused the flames after six hours of struggle.” Velu said.
While putting out the fire, the district fire officer said, the cooking gas cylinder in the tea shop exploded suddenly. “But no one was injured in the incident,” he said.
Six fire tenders and 15 fire and rescue services personnel were deployed to put out the fire. “Edible oils, ghee, vanaspathi and butter packets at the grocery shop fuelled the fire. Cooking gas cylinder explosion was another reason for the fire to spread,” the district fire officer said.
The Suramangalam police have registered the case and initiated an inquiry into the incident.