PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Haldwani
A massive fire broke out at a liquor shop on Nainital Road early Tuesday morning. Preliminary estimates suggest that the fire has caused losses to the tune of around Rs three crores. Fortunately, the shop was closed at the time of the incident, preventing any casualties.
The locals first noticed flames and smoke billowing out of the shop at around 2 AM and then alerted the police and Fire department. Due to the large stock of liquor in the shop, the flames spread rapidly and quickly engulfed the entire shop. It is reported that a commercial gas cylinder, stored in the shop, also caught fire, further fuelling the blaze.
Police and Fire department teams arrived at the scene upon receiving the information. Three fire engines were deployed in dousing the flames. After battling with the blaze for quite a long time, the fire-fighters put it out, stopping it from spreading to nearby shops.
Fire department officials said that prima facie, the cause of the fire is a short circuit. However, the exact cause is still under investigation. Damage assessment has begun after the fire was extinguished.
