A major fire broke out at a grocery store near Karahiya Mandi in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district late Wednesday night, destroying goods worth an estimated ₹25 lakh. Preliminary investigations suggest that the blaze may have been triggered by a short circuit, though officials said the exact cause will be confirmed only after a detailed inquiry.

According to local authorities, the incident occurred at around 11 pm at Santosh Kirana Store, where flames rapidly engulfed the premises before spreading throughout the shop. The intensity of the fire caused panic in the surrounding area as thick smoke billowed into the night sky.

Three Freezers Explode During Blaze

Eyewitnesses reported that three freezers kept inside the shop exploded one after another during the fire, producing loud blasts that alarmed nearby residents and shopkeepers. The explosions intensified the blaze and made firefighting operations more challenging.

Residents immediately alerted the fire department, following which three to four fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

Firefighters Prevent Spread

Firefighters battled the flames for a considerable period before bringing the situation under control. Their timely intervention prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining commercial establishments in the busy market area.

However, by the time the blaze was extinguished, most of the grocery stock, furniture, electrical equipment and other materials inside the shop had been completely destroyed.

Estimated Loss of ₹25 Lakh

Shop owner Santosh said the fire caused an estimated loss of around ₹25 lakh, including grocery items, refrigeration units, furniture and other business assets. The assessment is preliminary, and the final estimate may be determined after an official inspection.

The incident has dealt a significant financial setback to the business owner, whose entire inventory was reportedly reduced to ashes.

Police Launch Investigation

Police personnel also reached the scene soon after receiving information about the incident and initiated an investigation.

Initial findings indicate that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit. However, officials said the exact reason behind the blaze would be established only after a thorough technical examination by the concerned authorities.

No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.

Authorities have urged shop owners and commercial establishments to regularly inspect electrical wiring and safety equipment to reduce the risk of similar incidents, especially during periods of heavy electricity usage.