Shops in Ullal catch fire destroying property worth Rs. 50 lakh

Mangalore Today News Network

Ullal , Nov 12, 2011 : A fire broke out at two shops in Ullal on Nov 12 Saturday, causing an estimated loss of Rs. 50 lakh to the owners.

Bhagavathi, a hardware store, owned by Harish and Janaradhana General Stores owned by his relative Pavish were on fire for several hours before the fire fighting squad could douse the flames.

The fire broke out at 2:00 a.m., but the fire fighting squad had to struggle for nearly 3 hours to bring it under control. Around 5 fire engines were brought to the spot, with the four engine arriving at 4:00 a.m. and the fifth at 4:45 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

Initially, only 2 engines arrived on the spot, but when the water within these 2 engines was exhausted, a third one was brought. The fire could be somewhat brought into control when the fourth fire engine arrived. The five engines had to make at least 11 trips for refills from a pond near Ullal Dargah before the flames reduced in intensity. Around 30 fire fighters were on duty.

One of neighbors spotted smoke at 2:00 a.m., but thought it was the early morning fog and went back to sleep. The police were alerted only when a passerby saw that the shops had caught fire. When the fire engines arrived, they noticed that an electric pole had also caught fire and alerted Mescom to cut power supply to the area. The residents were also urged to leave their houses to avoid danger.

The shops are at least 100 years old and the cause of the fire is believed to be faulty wiring.