Books stalls reduced to ashes

Jamshedpur, Jan 24 (UNI) At least 40 book-shops were reduced to ashes in a devastating fire which broke out at a book market near old Jamshedpur court under Sakchi police station area here last night, police said today.

Police said the fire was noticed at around 1100 hrs following a loud burst.

Four fire brigades took about two hours to douse the blaze, police said and added that books worth lakhs of rupees were reduced to ashes.

The cause of the fire has not been ascertained so far, but police suspected that a blast at a nearby transformer might be the reason.

An investigation was on, police added.

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