Indore: A fire broke out late Thursday night at Ram Gopal Kanhaiyalal, a three-storey shop selling pooja materials and grocery items in Indore's busy Marothia Bazaar, gutting the premises and destroying goods worth lakhs of rupees, the fire department said. No casualties were reported.

Source: Dainik Jagran (English)

According to the Fire Department, a call about the fire was received at around 1 am after residents noticed smoke and flames coming from the upper floors of the shop, which is reported to be run by Bunty Sharma. Residents alerted the police and fire brigade, and firefighters reached the spot along with Sarafa police personnel. The flames spread rapidly through the building and reached the second floor before the blaze was brought under control after considerable effort; Hindi daily Tathya Wani reported two fire vehicles were deployed and the fire was controlled in about an hour.

Source: Tathya Wani

Festive stock lost, cause not yet confirmed

The shop had been stocked with a large quantity of pooja materials, incense and grocery items for the upcoming festive season, including for Diwali, and the stock was destroyed, the shop operator said. Officials said a short circuit is being considered the preliminary cause, but the exact reason has not yet been established and an investigation is underway. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, and police have registered a case and begun an inquiry, Tathya Wani reported.

Second fire the same night in Chhoti Gwaltoli

In a separate incident early Friday, a fire broke out at National Gas, a shop in Chhoti Gwaltoli, destroying gas-related items and crockery stored there. Firefighters controlled that blaze using about one tank of water, and no casualties were reported. The fire was linked to a short circuit at an electricity pole near the shop, and the nearby Shri Ram Tea Stall was also affected, according to Dainik Jagran. Shop owner Yogendra was informed by local residents over the phone.