Kozhikode city stunned by fire; losses worth crores

KOZHIKODE: A fire that broke out in a textiles shop at the new bus stand complex kept Kozhikode city on edge for more than five hours. The fire was brought under control after special fire units from Karipur Airport arrived. People were evacuated from the stand. Buses were diverted. The city came to a standstill. Losses worth crores. There were no casualties as it was a holiday. The fire broke out at 5 pm yesterday.

The Chief Secretary has directed the District Collector to submit a report on the incident within two days. The fire broke out at Calicut Textiles on the first floor of the bus stand complex, owned by Mukundan, a native of Kottuly. The cause is unclear. The fire that started in the godown spread within minutes. The textiles were completely burnt down. The entire area was engulfed in black smoke and heat.

Eight fire force units from the district, along with special fire units from Malappuram district and Kozhikode Airport, put out the fire by 10 pm. The fire also spread to other shops.

There was a large stock present in the shop since it was the school opening season. Around fifty shops and establishments are operating in the two-storey complex. A major disaster was averted as everyone present there was evacuated.

This was the biggest fire in Kozhikode city since the fire at a firecracker shop on Mittayi Theruvu aka Sweet Meat Street, in April 2007, when eight people died.