Car accessories shop in Kochi gutted in fire; none injured

KOCHI A car accessories shop near Thykoodam Metro Station in Vyttila, Kochi, was gutted in a major fire on Sunday night. No injuries were reported. However, the fire is estimated to have caused losses worth lakhs of rupees, as the shop had stocked up on accessories for premium cars, according to Fire and Rescue Services personnel.

The fire broke out around 9.30 p.m. Seven fire tenders from stations at Kadavanthra, Club Road, Thripunithura, Thrikkakara and Mulanthuruthy managed to bring the blaze completely under control by 11.40 p.m., an officer with the Kadavanthra station said. The officer said the exact cause of the fire was yet to be confirmed.

The shop owner, according to Fire and Rescue Services sources, claimed that the fire originated near the inverter unit, apparently due to a short circuit. However, it is also suspected that the fire may have been triggered by firecrackers burst outside the shop as part of Deepavali celebrations. Firefighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the make-up studio on the first floor of the two-storey building.