HYDERABAD: Fire destroyed a large quantity of chicken feed and parts of a factory in Site area on Sunday.

The fire was extinguished after several hours’ efforts by fire fighters who came from adjoining districts as well to take part in the operation.

The cause of fire, according to SHO Site area Jiandal Shah, was a short circuit.

The owner of factory, A-One Feed, initially put monetary losses at around Rs10 million while speaking to reporters at the site. However, he was not able to comment as to how the fire had actually erupted.

“It started at 1pm and continued till 5pm. Apparently it has been brought under control but not completely extinguished,’ said factory owner Tariq Ahmed.

Fire tenders from Matiari, Jamshoro, Qasimabad, Latifabad and city were called to extinguish the fire.

In addition to it, private water tankers were used to help refill the tenders.

Fire fighters faced great difficulties in refilling the fight tenders as they had to shunt between Fatima Jinnah water reservoir.

People of the area also supplemented efforts of the fire fighters to bring fire under control as soon as possible. Police and administration officials rushed to the scene.

The fire engulfed the entire area of the godown located on the premises of the factory which destroyed all the feed.

Other then the chicken feed, raw materials including maize, gunny bags etc were also completely burnt. Shades of godowns also started falling apart after being affected by the fire.

The factory management emptied boilers of gas to avoid any major loss.

The factory is located at Tando Mohammad Khan Road near Indus hills in site area.

Two production plants exist inside the factory and were partially damaged from different sides.

“One of them was working when fire erupted. The plant is damaged due to intense heat,” Ahmed confirmed.

“Fire fighting is still on,” he added.

According to the owner, he is not completely sure about the cause of the fire, but that it started in one of the godowns of which there are around four to five.

“It’s a big loss. We usually keep around 2000 to 3000 tons of feed ready or in shape of raw material. Its been totally destroyed,” he added.

“Fire is still smouldering at different places though it is under control,” he clarified.

Some of the factory structure has been badly affected, as a result some of its portions are being dismantled to avoid any further loss. No casualty is however reported. The owner told Dawn that he is not in a position to assess the actual quantum of monetary losses.