Kozhikode, July 31 (HS): A fire broke out at a rubber footwear manufacturing unit at Payyanakkal in Kozhikode during the early hours of Friday, damaging machinery, electrical equipment and raw materials, Fire and Rescue Services officials said.

The fire was reported around 3 a.m. at Jaisal Rubber Industries, which manufactures footwear using imported rubber granules and other rubber materials.

A team from the Meenchanda Fire and Rescue Station, led by Assistant Station Officer Shihabudheen E., rushed to the spot and launched firefighting operations. The blaze was brought under control after more than an hour with the help of two fire tenders.

Officials said a 40 HP mixer motor, an electrical panel board, several other motors, a portion of the factory roof and footwear manufacturing materials were destroyed in the fire.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit. No casualties were reported.

The exact extent of the property loss is yet to be assessed, officials said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar