Major fire in Chandana Brothers shopping mall

• Goods worth `5 to 6 crore gutted
• Short circuit suspected to be the reason for mishap

Tirupati: Huge stock of textiles and readymade garments were reduced to ashes in a major fire that broke out in Chandana Brothers shopping mall in Theerthakatta Street here in the late hours of Wednesday. Though the exact reason for the major fire in the shopping mall was yet to be ascertained by the police and fire department, electric short circuit was suspected to be the reason.

This is the major fire accident in recent years. The loss of property was estimated at Rs 5 to Rs 6 crore, according to sources. However, the gold ornaments remained safe as they were secured in lockers that can withstand fire.

As it was the festive season, the mall was packed with new stock keeping in view the ensuing Christmas and Sankranti festival. About 50 fire personnel with the help of six fire tenders and two more fire tenders from Renigunta airport fought for over 5 to 6 hours to bring fire under control.

The narrow street coupled with the lengthy shopping mall with less moving space made the task of the fire fighting personnel more difficult while the combustible materials like textiles, made of nylon, polyester, wool etc., turn the operation more complex with the temperature turning very high.

Curious onlookers who gathered even at the odd time and narrow lane proved to be a bottle neck for the fire tenders to start their operation in full swing.

The incident came to light only after the staff left closing the shop for the night when the security person noticed smoke billowing from the closed shop at around 10.30 pm. He informed a senior employee who along with others immediately came rushing to the shop and alerted the fire office.

But the smoke soon turned into a raging fire spreading all over the ground and first floor of the mall, engulfing the stock of garments and textiles, even as the fire tenders, which arrived immediately, began their operation.

The fire personnel led by Sankar Prasad, along with the youth in the area and staff virtually fought from 11 pm last night, to contain the fire from spreading to other shops. Finally the fire was controlled in the early hours of Thursday.

A case has been registered in the West Police Station based on a complaint from the Mall Manager.