KOHAT, April 2: The biggest landa (flea) market of the city was gutted in a blaze caused by short-circuiting near the jail plaza on Monday.

Officials said at least 60 shops were reduced to ashes while dozens others received partial damage. The fire engulfed other parts because the partitions of the shops and blocks were made up of wood and cloth. However, no loss of life was caused.

Shopkeepers tried to extinguish the fire on self-help basis but all shops were gutted. Dozens of nearby handcarts and storages of fruits and vegetables were also destroyed in the inferno.

The wooden cabins allotted to Afghan refugees on the city police station road situated on the back side of the site were also vacated.

Though fire extinguishers reached the scene and started rescue operation two hours after the fire broke out but by then the whole market had been turned into ashes.

The assistant district coordination officer, Naeem Sadozai, MNA Pir Dilawar Shah, tehsil municipal officer Mohammad Shoeb and members of bazaar union visited the scene to asses the losses incurred due to fire.

SHOT DEAD: A woman was killed over family dispute in lower Ustarzai area on Monday.

The son of the deceased, Ishrat Ali, told the police that one Nazim Ali shot dead his mother. The police registered the case and started investigations.

ARRESTED: The police arrested 38 outlaws, including gamblers, in an operation on Monday.

The police carried out operation against anti-social elements in different parts of the district and nabbed 38 suspects from whom arms and ammunition were also seized.