Major fire breaks out in Kochi, three shops gutted

The cause of the fire is not known yet but onlookers said electrical short-circuit may have sparked the fire.

A major fire broke out in Kochi’s busy Broadway on Monday, 27 May, 2019. (Photo | Albin Mathew, EPS) 

The fire completely gutted three shops, including one textile shop. However, no casualties have been reported in the blaze. (Photo | Albin Mathew, EPS)

Shop keepers and shoppers have been evacuated from the area, preventing even minor injuries. (Photo | Albin Mathew, EPS)

The cause of the fire is not known yet but onlookers said electrical short-circuit may have sparked the fire. (Photo | Albin Mathew, EPS)

'Three shops have been completely destroyed in the fire while another four have been partially affected. We will initiate an investigation into the cause of the fire,' said Ernakulam District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla. (Photo | Albin Mathew, EPS)

The fire and rescue department reached the spot first. The fire tenders from Kochi Refineries-BPCL, Indian Navy also helped in dousing the fire, before it spread to nearby shops,' said S Surendran, Ernakulam district police chief. (Photo | Albin Mathew, EPS)

The public and the labourers too joined hands to bring things under control fast. (Photo | Albin Mathew, EPS)

The fire was brought under control after nearly two hours. (Photo | Albin Mathew, EPS)