KOCHI: A major fire broke out in a mattress shop at Methanam in Eloor on Saturday. Bed Shop, a mattress manufacturing unit near Methanam bus stand, was completely gutted after a fire broke out around 5pm.Police said that the fire was doused by eight units of fire tenders after a strenuous effort of more than five hours. A major tragedy was averted as the shop remained shut due to hartal “The blaze was spotted by workers staying nearby after thick smoke billowed out of the shop. They informed police and fire fighters immediately. The reason for the fire outbreak is not yet known. Prima facie, we think it is a short circuit ,” said a police officer.“We have registered a case under fire occurrence and an investigation has been launched. The fire did not spread as it was an isolated building,” added the officer.Though the fire in the shop, which is located in a residential area, created a panic in the locality, it was brought under control within an hour.“Residents were evacuated temporarily as a precautionary measure, but were allowed to come back after the fire was brought under control,” said police.MLA Ibrahim Kunju, senior police officers and fire force officials visited the spot.

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