Firemen fought smoke and flames in the crowded Phusro market on Monday Night as a short-circuit triggered a fire at a Fit-well garments and furnishings store in the densely populated and congested Phusro  market area on Monday night.

Sources said that it took four fire tenders two hours to douse the leaping flames, but dense smoke continued to billow out of the gutted ground floor of the shop till late in the night. Eyewitnesses said the blaze was detected at Fit-well garments around 11:30 pm. Owner of the shop-cum-godown Wazid Hussein had gone to home after closing the shop, some locals spotted smoke and raised an alarm. Shopkeepers alerted Bermo police and the government fire station in Phusro.

According to the reports the first fire tender arrived within 20 minutes from Phusro fire station, following police in-Charge. Three more fire tenders arrived soon therafter from other destination.Firefighters, however, had a difficult time because the road to the shop is extremely narrow and there is a mesh of power lines above. They called for more help. After 1/2 hour, three more fire tenders joined the blaze battle.

Bermo circle Inspector Laxamikant  confirmed that a short-circuit on the ground floor of the building had triggered the mishap. He said they would register a case after formal inquiry.

Wazid Hussein owner of the Fit-well readymade garments shop said he was yet to ascertain his losses but it could be above 2 crore.

“We keep readymade garments and saris, dress and shirt material as well as furnishings in the ground floor. How much was gutted will have to be seen,” he said