Goods worth crores gutted in MP shopping complex

Bhopal, Dec 17 (IANS) A massive fire broke out in a shopping complex here on Sunday, gutting goods worth crores of rupees in around a hundred shops, the fire brigade said.

There was no report of casualties in the blaze at the Sant Hirdaram Complex in Bairagarh area, which could be controlled only after around seven hours.

Though affected shopowners talked of losses running into crores, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Zone Four) Sameer Yadav said the extent of the losses was difficult to determine at present.

The fire was reported to the fire brigade around noon. As many as 24 fire engines rushed to the spot and were able to douse the flames only in the evening.

Firefighters had to break through many structures to access the shops where the fire was raging, a senior police officer said.

There are more than 200 shops, mostly dealing in cloth, in the shopping complex. Shopkeepers said each shop stored goods worth around Rs one crore.

The affected shopkeepers said they noticed the fire when they arrived at the shops, which are normally opened around noon.