Fire guts refrigerator shop in Nagpur's Lodhipura, damages goods in two nearby homes

A major fire broke out at a refrigerator shop in Lodhipura, Nagpur, on Sunday morning, causing panic in the area. The fire spread so fast that the flames reached two houses next to the shop.

According to information from the fire department, the shop, Al Kausar Refrigerator, is on CA Road near Geetanjali Talkies. Its owners are Mohammad Ashfaq, Mohammad Atique and Abdul Latique Ansari. At around 8.30 am on Sunday, smoke was seen coming out of the shop and the fire soon flared up.

The shop held refrigerators, ACs, washing machines and other goods. The fire engulfed the entire shop within a short time. The flames were so large that they were visible from a distance, and the sight of the spreading fire caused alarm in the neighbourhood.

Eyewitnesses informed the fire department. On receiving the call, fire engines were dispatched from the Civil, Lakadganj, Wathoda, Sakkardara and Sugatnagar fire stations. In all, six fire engines reached the spot one after another.

Firefighters had to struggle for more than three hours to bring the fire under control. The refrigerators, ACs, washing machines and other goods in the shop were reduced to ashes. As the flames reached neighbouring houses, beds, chairs, furniture, an AC, tarpaulin and other belongings there were also damaged.

Fortunately, there were no casualties.

Sources said the roads around the shop were heavily encroached at the time of the fire, which caused firefighters great difficulty in dousing the blaze. They said encroachment delayed the effort and added considerably to the damage, and that without it the fire could have been brought under control sooner and the loss largely avoided.