SHEIKHUPURA, May 8: More than 400 shops, most of them makeshifts, were reduced to ashes when a fire broke out at the vegetable market of Narang Mandi on Tuesday.

According to press note issued by the district nazim office here on Tuesday, the fire broke out due to a gas cylinder blast which engulfed the whole area causing damage to nearby houses and shops.

Some people received burn injuries and were taken to local hospitals and THQ Hospital, Muridke. The fire units were called from Gujranwala, Lahore and Sheikhupura to control the fire.

The district nazim has constituted a five-member committee, headed by District Officer (revenue) Javed Iqbal to assess the loss.—APP