A major fire swept through a business commercial area in the busy S M Street in Kozhikode injuring at least 30 persons and consuming rows of shops on Thursday, police said.
The fire was spread out from a wholesale cracker shop, which went up in flames followed by a deafening sound of explosion around 9.30 am, the sources said.
`At least 15 shops were gutted in the fire and many more are still in flames', they said, adding fire force personnel were battling it out to extinguish the fire.
Of the injured admitted to various hospitals, the condition of four persons was stated to be serious.
However, District Collector, A Jayathilak said there were no casualties and steps were taken to control the fire.
Eye-witnesses said a loud explosion was heard from the second floor of `Oasis Complex', housing `Kerala Stationery Mart', the wholesale cracker shop, even as huge stocks of crackers were unloaded there.There was a heavy rush at the shop on account of `Vishu' festival falling on April 14.
The cause of the mishap was yet to be ascertained.
{{/usCountry}}The cause of the mishap was yet to be ascertained.
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