Patna: A fire gutted more than 50 shops at Khemnichak market in Patna’s Ramakrishna Nagar police station area early Thursday, causing heavy losses to traders.The blaze, which broke out after 3am, spread rapidly through the congested market, engulfing vegetable shops, repair outlets and other establishments. Four LPG cylinders kept at a makeshift hotel allegedly exploded, triggering panic. Several parked motorcycles were also destroyed. No casualties were reported.Eyewitnesses said the flames initially engulfed a few shops before spreading to adjoining establishments. Combustible materials and closely packed shops intensified the blaze, leaving traders little time to salvage their belongings.Around 15 to 20 fire engines from Lodipur, Kankarbagh, Secretariat, Patna City and other locations rushed to the spot. Firefighters brought the blaze under control after nearly an hour, preventing it from spreading to nearby residential buildings.Sub-divisional fire officer Ajit Kumar said the cause of the fire remained unknown and an investigation was underway.Officials are assessing the damage, while affected traders face substantial losses from destroyed shops, equipment and stock.
