Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Feb 22: A fire broke out in a two-storey cloth shop in the busy Main Bazar area of Samba late Sunday evening, causing losses worth lakhs of rupees.
Officials said the incident came to light shortly after the aggrieved shopkeeper had closed his establishment around 7 PM and left for home.
They said local shopkeepers noticed smoke billowing out of the premises and immediately informed him.
The police and Fire and Emergency Services were also alerted without delay, they said.
Officials further said two fire tenders rushed to the spot and launched an operation to douse the flames.
“After nearly 3 hours of sustained efforts, the fire was finally brought under control,” they said.
Officials said the blaze was intense and posed a serious threat to adjoining shops in the congested market area. However, timely intervention prevented further damage.
All merchandise kept inside the shop was completely gutted in the fire, they said, adding that an ATM installed within the premises was also destroyed, though the exact amount of cash inside could not be confirmed.
However, the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained, police have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated further investigation.
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