One killed in shopping mall fire in Kabul

Kabul, Aug 4 (IANS) One person died and seven others were injured in a huge fire that swept through a major commercial market in the Afghan capital on Thursday.

The fire broke out at about 11 a.m. in Zadran Market, which is one of the main shopping centres located in the west of Kabul city, Khaama Press reported.

According to Khaama, the two top floors of the shopping centre caught fire.

Among those injured were six firemen while one shopkeeper died after jumping from the eighth floor, Tolo news reported.

According to Kabul Police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi, the fire started after an electric iron was left switched on in a tailor's shop on the top floor of the 10-storey building.

Shop owners said they have lost millions of dollars worth of goods.

There are about 1,200 shops -- mostly clothing stores -- in the shopping centre, said shopkeepers.