Shop gutted in Sector 17

Within minutes of the fire, smoke engulfed the whole shop which was full of customers at the peak shopping hour. The customers soon ran out and the main switch of the shop was put off. Electricity in the nearby shops was also shut off, even as they downed their shutters immediately after the fire.

This proved a hindrance to the fire-fighting efforts of the shop-owners, as the booster pump kept there to tackle fire failed to function, with efforts to douse the fire through Ceasefire8217; also of no avail.

At least five fire tenders were pressed into service to control the fire. Though the fire was only on the front side of the shop, workers at the shop alleged that water was thrown from both sides of the shop which caused a lot of damage to the material in the shop. 8220;The damage was more because of the water thrown all over the shop, than the actual fire,8221; claimed one of the salesman at the shop. The carpeting and other equipment at the shop was also damaged, as water continued to drip from the false ceiling.

8220;It might take another few days for the shop to be put in order and sales to start again,8221; claimed Jaideep Singh, another shop-owner, who is related to the owners and was substituting for them at the time of fire.

Eye-witnesses also reported that it took at least 20 minutes for the fire tenders to reach the spot, even as they alleged that firemen were 8220;old8221; and were also not properly equipped to tackle the fire. Fire officials instead claimed that had they not reached in time, it could not have been controlled.

The owners were not available for comments as they had gone to Anandpur Sahib.