377 shops gutted in fire in Mohali

Mohali, Jun 1 (UNI) As many as 377 shops were gutted when a fire broke out in the Khoka market in Phase 3B1 of the city this morning, official sources said.

However, there was no loss of life in the blaze. The loss of property, which may run into Rs eight to Rs ten crore, was being assessed.

The fire appeared around 0530 hours in a shop and soon spread to adjacent shops, most of them made of GIC sheets and inflamable material, in the market.

Police and district authorities immediately rushed to the site to control the fire. Fire tenders were called from adjoining Chandigarh, Ropar, Dera Bassi, Indian Air Force and Ranbaxy which controlled the fire after fighting the flames for about four hours.

The cause of the fire is being ascertained. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The inquiry will be conducted by Additional Deputy Commissioner Ajoy Sharma who has been asked to submit his report by June 3 next.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal also visited the site.

UNI