Fire at Palang Market in Jamshedpur’s Sakchi after youth denied  Rs 50

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Oct 25: Panic gripped the Palang Market area near the Sakchi bus stand late Friday night after a major fire broke out, reducing furniture shops to ashes.

Two shops were gutted, and at least six wooden beds and several mattresses were destroyed, causing losses worth several lakhs of rupees.

According to reports, the incident occurred around midnight. Upon receiving the information, Sakchi police and the fire brigade rushed to the spot.

Firefighters, with the help of local residents from the nearby Chhaya Basti area, managed to bring the blaze under control after strenuous efforts.

Shop owner Mohammad Islam, a resident of Mango, alleged that a local youth  was responsible for the fire.

Islam claimed that the accused often demanded money from him and had asked for  Rs 50 on Friday evening to buy liquor. When Islam refused, the youth allegedly threatened to set the shop on fire.

Later that night, the shop caught fire, confirming Islam’s fears. He said that timely intervention by locals and firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to adjacent shops.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are trying to trace the accused.