Fire breaks out in Jamshedpur's market at midnight, guts three shops

• A fire broke out in Sakchi market at midnight, gutting three shops, including a mobile phone shop
• People noticed thick smoke and tried to douse the flames before informing the fire station, but three shops were already destroyed by the time firefighters arrived
• Over 2000 shops in the market pose a challenge for fire units due to narrow lanes, causing concern among traders about potential losses

Three shops were gutted when a fire broke out in Sakchi market around midnight, creating a sensation among shop owners.

The fire broke out on the Muri line and a mobile phone shop was among the destroyed shops, which was reduced to ashes.

Some people who remained in the market first noticed the thick smoke billowing from one of the shops. Realizing that the store must be on fire, they mobilized support by shouting. Soon a large number of people gathered there and tried to extinguish the flame by pouring water on it.

Meanwhile, someone informed the government fire station located in Golmuri. But by the time the fire department got there half an hour later, three shops had been completely gutted.

Meanwhile, the owners of the adjoining shops also reached the spot and started evacuating the stocks from their shops, fearing that the ravaging fire would engulf their shops as well. Firefighters, however, prevented further shops from being demolished.

The police said that the exact cause of the fire cannot yet be known, but a short circuit is suspected.

It may be mentioned here that there are over 2000 shops in Sakchi market, most of which are located in narrow lanes. Traders are always concerned about any fire in the market because fire units cannot enter all lanes. The loss of property destroyed by fire is estimated.