News and pics: Vinay Pais

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Mar 3: A lorry laden with small boats was heading to Harihara from Mangaluru when it came in contact with a live electric cable at Merdi on Shimoga-Kundapur state highway at midnight on March 1. In the mishap that continued, the warehouse of jute bags caught fire on the way and turned to ashes causing loss of several lacs.

Kundapur Fire brigade vehicles rushed to the place soon after hearing the news and prevented further damage.

There are residential houses adjacent to the warehouse. The electric cable that got stuck to the muzzle of the boats had fallen on the warehouse making it to catch fire. The people in the nearby houses who were fast asleep were woken up with the feeling of heat, and rushed out of their houses waking up their neighbours after seeing the flames.

The fire had engulfed the warehouse of jute bags and was about to spread to the nearby houses when the fire brigade vehicles reached there in the nick of time. Kundapur PSI Nasir Hussain who arrived immediately and was present at the place took precautionary measures.

It is said that the warehouse belongs to local mill owner Nagesh Seregar. The driver of the lorry was not aware of the mishap and had driven the vehicle for some distance. The police have seized the lorry and registered a case.