KARACHI, Oct 10: Two shops were gutted by a fire that broke out in Motandas Market on Wednesday morning, causing huge losses of goods worth millions of rupees.
Thirteen fire tenders in a four-hour-long operation managed to control the fire. A fire complaint was registered at 9.30am, according to a fire department official, after which six fire tenders rushed to the spot. However, later seven more tenders rushed to control the blaze as firefighters called for reinforcement.
“Two shops (Nos 213 and 214) of readymade garments were completely destroyed and eight adjoining shops were badly damaged by the fire,” the official said, adding that the losses were estimated at around Rs9 to Rs10 million while the cause of the fire had not yet been found. But, he hastened to add that there was a possibility that the fire broke out due to open wiring and a short circuit in the electricity meters, fixed in the market.
The shopkeepers said they lodged several complaints with the KESC to fix the problem but the utility had never paid heed to their objections. The meters, which were installed by the KESC some eight months ago, were vulnerable due to the open wires attached with them, they said.
A spokesman for the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation said the power utility had cut off the electricity connection to the Motandas Market, which suffered major damage due to the fire. He said a new power connection to the cloth market would only be given after the fire brigade and electrical inspector concerned would give formal clearance and authentication about safety and protection of the market from the electrical point of view.
In view of the widespread complaints of dangling and loose electricity wires and ill-maintained wiring system in the market area, the spokesman said the electrical inspector concerned and owners of the market should be held responsible for the improper electricity system.
He said the KESC issued a new electricity connection to a commercial centre or market like the Motandas once the electrical inspector issued a formal clearance certificate about installation of a properly maintained electrical system.
He said the KESC was responsible for maintaining the electricity system up to the meter and after the electricity meter it was the government-appointed electrical inspector and the building owner who had to ensure installation of the electrical and wiring systems.
KARACHI, Oct 10: Two shops were gutted by a fire that broke out in Motandas Market on Wednesday morning, causing huge losses of goods worth millions of rupees.
