Fire in Karond building sparks panic, no casualties

Bhopal: A fire broke out Wednesday in a four-storey building in Bhopal’s Karond area, opposite People’s hospital.Flames erupted from the generator of electronic showroom, quickly spreading to nearby air conditioners and furniture. The building also houses a fast food outlet, though it was not damaged.Panic spread as thick smoke and high flames rose, drawing a large crowd from nearby homes and shops. Fortunately, the building was not crowded, preventing casualties.According to Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) fire brigades from Karond arrived promptly, bringing the blaze under control in about 30 minutes. BMC fire wing in-charge Saurabh Patel confirmed the cause was a short circuit in the generator.While no lives were lost, property damage is estimated in lakhs of rupees. Police from Nishatpura station also reached the site as officials began assessing losses. Quick response prevented the fire from spreading further and averted a major disaster, he added.