Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 16: A scrap shop allegedly operating without a licence was gutted in a fire at Chetana Nagar in Kumpala on Thursday evening, raising concerns among residents about the safety of neighbouring houses in the densely populated locality.

The shop was reportedly being run by Abdul Tufail in a rented room at Chetana Nagar. The municipal council had issued three notices to the owner regarding the operation of the scrap shop.

The fire broke out inside the premises on Thursday evening after the shop had closed.

Alerted to the blaze, local residents rushed to the spot and attempted to extinguish the flames, taking prompt action to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby houses. Fire and emergency services personnel soon arrived and brought the blaze under control.

Residents expressed concern that a fire breaking out late at night could have spread to surrounding houses and triggered a major tragedy, given the densely populated nature of Chetana Nagar.

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained.

Someshwara Town Municipal Council vice-president Ravishankar Someshwara and council members Harish Kumpala and Manoj Kattemane visited the spot and inspected the scene.

Someshwara TMC chief officer Mattadi said the shop owner had been instructed to vacate the premises but had failed to comply with the order.