KOCHI: A fire broke out at a furniture shop adjacent to Ernakulam Town Hall near North Bridge. The incident happened Monday morning at around 3 am. Newspaper distributors, who were present there saw the fire and alerted the fire brigade.

The fire broke out at the furniture shop adjacent to the residential area. Seven units of the fire brigade immediately reached the spot and brought the fire under control. The fire had caused concern as there is a petrol pump nearby. Two flats, a house and Kochi Metro line are adjacent to the furniture mart. People in these areas were safely evacuated. The cause of the fire is not yet clear.