Fast food outlet gutted by fire in Gujrat

GUJRAT: A three-storey building having a fast food outlet was burnt due to electric short-crcuiting on Saturday (Aug 10) in Gujrat city of Punjab province.

Rescue officials took over three hours to extinguish the fire in the building near Kidney Centre along the Circular Road. The fire erupted at around 12 o’clock during the day in a pizza shop located on the ground floor and spread across the entire building.

At least three fire engines were used in the hours-long operation. The fire reportedly caused a loss of more than Rs3 million and the building cannot be further used until the complete investigation.

Gujrat Deputy Commissioner, District Police Officer, and other senior officials also reached the spot and inspected the operation.

The pizza shop’s staff said the outlet was closed when the incident occurred as the cooking usually start by the evening. They claimed the short circuiting might have been caused from the electricity meter. However, an electric transformer in front of the outlet remained unharmed in the incident, while buildings evacuated during the fire-fighting operation.

DSP city circle Aamir Abbas told a media outlet that the police have registered an initial report of the incident . He said no loss of human life was reported but the exact cause of the fire will be determined after further investigation. He said the forensic analysis of such incidents might determine the exact cause of the incident.

The Deputy Commissioner said the initial report by the rescue 1122 officials suggests that the electric short circuiting could possibly be the reason for fire in the building. He said the administration has asked the owner of the building to not use the premises for any commercial purposes as the damage would be assessed.