Fire consumes plywood shop

KOCHI: A major disaster was averted as Fire and Rescue Services personnels prevented the flames that gutted a plywood shop in Chalikkavattom, near Vyttila, on Tuesday, from spreading to the neighbouring shops. No casualties were reported. The fire started from the shed of the two-storey plywood shop. Seven fire service units from four fire stations in the city rushed to the spot to control the fire. Fire and Rescue Services personnel who were involved in the operation confirmed that the fire started from the shed.  The fire spread to the first and second floors of the shop. Several loads of plywood and machines stored in the shop were destroyed in the fire, they said.“A major disaster was averted thanks to the timely involvement of the shop owner and the local people who turned up at the venue immediately after the fire broke out. All the materials inside the plastic shop were shifted to a safer place. The fire was doused within an hour,” a Fire and Rescue Services official said.The shop owner said that the loss is estimated to be around `4-5 lakh. The reason for the fire is still unknown.  The fire broke out at the waste plywood and sacks stored in the shed. The police will examine the place to ascertain the reason behind the fire.