RAWALPINDI, March 25: More than 160 shops and a car were gutted after a huge fire broke out in market at the Dispensary Ground in Tench Bhatta on Sunday, however, no casualties were reported, eye witnesses said.

The fire department said the fire engulfed over 160 shops in Tench Bhatta and reduced valuables contained in them to ashes. A car parked near the shops was also gutted as the upward rising flames gave no chance to its owner to save it or go near it.

Clouds of thick black smoke covered the sky and could be seen from miles away. The fire, which had erupted around 8.00am, also caused panic among the residents of the nearby locality who came out of their homes.

In the meantime, the fire engines and ambulances reached the scene. The fire fighters extinguished the fire after efforts of more than two hours.

The cause of fire remained a mystery as a fire department official told Dawn that the cause of the fire could not be known. “It was the second fire incident that happened in the same locality and the same market.”

“Earlier, over a hundred shops had been gutted last month when the fire broke out in the same market. “Surprisingly, the previous fire incident had happened at the same time (early in the morning),” the fire officer said.