Fire guts shopping complex; loss of Rs 4 crore

PERUMBAVOOR: A major fire that broke out in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, completely gutted  a multistoried shopping complex, Kaitharan Glass and Plywood here on AM Road. A loss of  Rs 4 crore is estimated. Three floors of the four-storey shopping complex and all the goods stored in the shop have been destroyed in the fire. No casualty was reported.Around 10 Fire Tender Units from Aluva, Angamaly, Kothamangalam and Perumbavoor Fire Service and Rescue Stations took about six hours to douse the fire. The fire came to the notice of the local residents at 3 am. The police led by DySP K Harikrishnan, CI A K Viswanathan, SI Ajayakumar and SI C M Reghu rushed to the spot.The traffic caused due to the fire-breakout was relieved by 9 am. The complex owner, Jose Kaitharan, suspected that there was something fishy about the incident. Electrical short circuit could not be ruled out, Fire Service Personnel hinted.The police have launched a detailed investigation into the incident.The  Scientific Assistant and the officers from Electrical Inspectorate collected evidence from the site. The police will take further steps on their reports.