NOWSHERA, Jan 21: Several shops were reduced to ashes and some were partially damaged as a huge fire broke out at a market in the Jehangira Town here on Monday.

The fire, caused by a short-circuit, engulfed Tariq Market on the Jehangira-Swabi Road and caused considerable damage to the place.

Witnesses said soon after the fire erupted at the market, the shopkeepers and area people called the Wapda staff to disconnect power supply to the town.

However, the Wapda staff refused, saying that unless they received orders from the high-ups, they could not disconnect electricity supply.

The officials of fire brigade stationed at Nowshera, when asked to send fire tenders, also refused to come to the rescue of the shopkeepers.

The indifferent attitude of the two civic bodies caused irreparable loss to the poor people, social workers told Dawn, adding that if Wapda and fire brigade authorities had taken action on time, the extent of damages could have been reduced.