A massive fire caused by electric short circuiting early Saturday morning gutted at least 60 shops and 70 cabins.
According to rescue sources, the fire erupted due to electric short circuiting at a UPS shop in Qaisra Bazaar of Gujranwala. The fire engulfed neighboring shops as well. Strong winds further escalated the fire which engulfed the entire market.
Fire tenders and rescue workers, owners of shops and local people rushed the scene to put out the fire to minimise loss.
However, firemen faced problems dousing out the fire because of the narrow streets of the congested market. The fire was extinguished after hectic efforts of over two and half hours.
At least 60 shops and 70 cabins were gutted causing damage worth millions of rupees.
Locals and shops owners complained that the damage could have been contained but rescue teams arrived to the scene too late. They complained that they had been calling the fire department for hours but to no avail.
The affectees demanded the provincial government to take action against the authorities concerned for negligence and asked for compensation of their losses.
