Kochi: A toy shop in the Broadway Market was completely gutted in a fire. However, Corporation cleaning workers prevented it from spreading to other shops in the area thanks to them noticing the blaze and taking quick action. The fire was first detected at the ‘Game Zone’ by the workers at 5 am and they called up the Mayor immediately, who in turn alerted the Fire Force. Four fire tenders from the Club Road and Gandhi Nagar Fire stations arrived at the scene and doused the flames in an hour. “A preliminary probe points towards short-circuit as the main reason. The fire must have started around midnight. All the toys and gift items were completely gutted. The loss is estimated to be around Rs 35 lakh,” said Sabu Thomas, Station Officer.
“The cleaning workers engaged by the Corporation usually reach around 4.30 am. It was their timely act that saved the day. Fire force officials even broke the locks of nearby shops, at risk of catching fire because of their close location, and ensured that the fire did not spread. The fire was put out by 6.20 am,” said Sabu Thekkedath, owner of a glass and hardware shop nearby. The gutted shop is located nearly 100 metres from the Broadway Entrance near the CSI Church.
