HYDERABAD, April 10: A tyre shop was completely gutted late Wednesday night after a massive fire broke out.

The exact cause of the fire could not be known. Fire fighters, however, believed that it was on account of a short circuit.

The fire broke out in Raza Autos, which deals in selling tyres.

According to the shop owner, a large quantity of new tyres was completely burnt.

A flat, located on the upper storey of the shop, was also partially damaged.

Fire fighters took about four hours to extinguish the fire.

CLARIFICATION: The excise & taxation department, Motor Registration Wing, Hyderabad, has categorically denied a news item wherein it was alleged that the excise officials were harassing the general public including motorists and commuters.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the department clarified that a campaign was launched for the recovery of government revenue on account of motor vehicle tax from defaulters.

The statement said that only those vehicles were impounded which were found to be in serious and heavy default of excise tax.

MISSING: Two residents of the Sanghar district have gone missing.

Vinod Kumar and Rehan Shaikh, owner of a petrol pump located in Qasimabad, left for Sanghar in their car on Monday. Since then their whereabouts are not known and their car has also not been found.

A report has been lodged with the Market police.