Property worth around Rs. 15 lakh was destroyed when fire engulfed shops abutting the famous
Madina Hotel at Madina Building in Pathergatti on Monday, leading to some tense moments.
The fire, which started at around 11:30am in the A1 Goods Carrier shop right next to the Madina Hotel due to a short-circuit, soon spread to the New Madina Bag Works next door. By the time the shopkeepers managed to inform the fire department, the flames had also spread to Madina Hotel's first floor.
Even as fire tenders from Musheerabad, Moghalpura and Saeedabad managed to cope with the heavy traffic and make their way to the spot, the shopkeepers and passersby had managed to bring the flames under control.
According to Abdul Mannan, proprietor of A1 Goods, the Old City, especially the area around Pathergatti, is jampacked with Ramzan shoppers, particularly in the last week of the Holy Month, and it was good fortune that the fire had started when the shops had opened for the day.
Mohammed Aijaz, owner of New Madina Bag Works, said that stocks in his shop worth an estimated Rs. 5 lakh had been destroyed by the flames, while the A1 Goods had lost stock worth around Rs. 10 lakhs.
The timely action by the shopkeepers and passersby managed to prevent the fire from causing extensive damage to the restaurant.
Courtesy: INN