Howrah, 14 December (H.S.): A massive fire broke out late Saturday night in a blouse shop located in Mallick Phatak area of Howrah district, completely gutting the shop. Two fire engines rushed to the spot on information. After about an hour of effort, the firefighters brought the blaze under control. The shop owner said on Sunday that the loss amounted to Rs 8 to 10 lakh. Fortunately, the house above the shop was saved.

The owner alleged that it was not an accident, but that his shop was deliberately set on fire.

As per information, on Saturday night, local residents saw smoke rising from a blouse shop located at Mallick Phatak on GT Road in Howrah and immediately informed the owner, Kartik Kundu, who lives on the third floor above the shop. He came down and saw that the shop was on fire. Initially, he tried to extinguish the fire but could not control it. The shop was completely destroyed.

The intensity of the fire was so great that it spread to a nearby betel shop and a saree shop. Both shops also suffered partial damage.

Shop owner Kartik Babu alleged that the fire was not caused by a short circuit. He claimed that his shop was deliberately set on fire. However, he did not specify who or which people were responsible for starting the fire.

There is a school and several shops near the shop. Local residents said that a major accident could have occurred if the fire had spread further.

The fire department is investigating the exact cause of the fire.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey