Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 14: A provision store located at Pangala near Kaup in the taluk was reduced to ashes after short circuit ignited fire inside the shop on the night of Monday October 12. All the items stored inside the shop including cash were gutted in the fire that raged without getting noticed.

The shop belonged to Jaya Devadiga, a local. It is suspected that short circuit was caused because of an electrical wire having been gnawed by a rat.

On Tuesday morning, a person who was sitting on the steps of the said shop duly reading a newspaper, felt that the shutters of the shop had become very hot. He immediately contacted Jaya Devadiga, who rushed to the spot and opened its shutters. After noticing that flames had engulfed the shop, locals rushed to help Devadiga in dousing them.

The shop had three big cupboards, showcases etc. It is gathered that Devadiga had got the wooden cupboards and other wooden paraphernalia inside the shop last week. The shop owner is facing financial crisis now on account of this catastrophe.

Innanje gram panchayat president, Rekha Anil Kumar, panchayat development officer, Kushalini, revenue official, Manasa, and others visited the spot. District in-charge minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake, also came there on Tuesday evening and handed over Rs 10,000 in cash, representing his personal contribution. Some local Congress leaders accompanied the minister during this visit.