ISLAMABAD, Nov 30: Six shops were reduced to ashes when a fire broke out at Bara Market in Rawalpindi on Wednesday night, causing huge damage to property and valuables worth millions of rupees, the fire department said.

The fire, which erupted due to a short-circuit in a godown of plastic goods at Naz Market’s basement, spread to adjacent shops within no time. The Rawalpindi city fire brigade, Rescue-15 and the local police were called in to extinguish the fire.

The fire extinguishers faced difficulties due to heavy smoke in the basement. Three of them — fire officer Chaudhry Aziz, firemen Wali Mohammad and Tariq Pervez — fainted due to the smoke. However, no serious injuries were reported.—Staff Reporter