Fifty firefighters, along with 200 volunteers, struggle for over two hours to douse fire; computer parts worth Rs 1.5 crore destroyed
Fifty firefighters, along with 200 volunteers, struggle for over two hours to douse fire; computer parts worth Rs 1.5 crore destroyed
Last night, a major fire broke out in a computer hardware shop on the Old Taluk Catchery (OTC) Road around 9 pm.
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Though no casualty was reported, computer parts worth Rs 1.5 crore were destroyed in the fire that engulfed the first floor of the two-storey building in which the fire broke out.
The locals informed the fire brigade at 9.40 pm and soon 10 fire engines rushed to the spot.
It took more than two hours for the 50 firemen to bring the fire under control.
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| The computer spare parts that got destroyed in the fire. (Right) Locals help firefighters in removing the highly inflammable parts from the first floor of the ill-fated building. |
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NV Erappa, chief fire officer (West), said, "Though we don't know what exactly caused fire, we believe it may have taken place because of a short circuit. '
As, lots of computer parts and batteries were stored in the building, it just added fuel to the fire."
Over 200 people from the neighbouring areas rushed to the spot and help the firemen in dousing the raging fire.
Speaking about the support he received from locals, Erappa said, "The support that we got from the volunteers is commendable. Most of them who helped us were Muslims. They helped after fasting all day."
Mahindra Baid, the owner of the ill-fated shop, said, "Being Sunday, the shop was shut. I don't understand how the fire started. We have lost goods worth Rs 1.5 crore that was stored in the shop."
Dilip Kumar, the owner of the building who also owns a CD shop nearby, said, "I got a call from my son saying smoke was coming out of the building and when we got here the shutter was half opened and the lock was broken.
We think someone was trying to break in." He added, "I own the CD store next door but luckily the damage was contained only to the store upstairs."
Seshakumar, a volunteer, said, "I have been here since 9.30 pm and called up the fire brigade. As, the fire was so huge, I stayed back to help firefighters."
Likewise, Deepak Biswas, another volunteer, said, "The was so much smoke and they couldn't see anything. However, after a lot efforts, we managed to bring the fire under control."
