SAHIWAL: A cosmetics factory and a warehouse were gutted by fire here on Monday morning at small industrial estate.

Rescue 1122 said it took 8-10 hours to control the blaze as chemicals used in talcum powder and other ingredients were inflammable. A rescuer said the fire spread to both floors of the building. The factory was closed because of the Eid holidays.

Commissioner Ali Bahdur Qazi and Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Awais Malik rushed to the spot and supervised the operation.

Rescue sources said around 10 local vehicles and 20 firefighters conducted the operation. Rescue 1122 teamsfrom Okara, Chichawatni and Kameer were also called in to put of f the blaze.

The DC said the factory had more than 300 employees but because of Eid holidays none was present except security guards. He said no human loss or injury occurred.

The DC has formed a four-member committee headed by Additional Commissioner Revenue Nouman Afzal to probe into the incident. The committee will submit its report within the four working days.

ACCIDENT: Two youth were killed and four others were rescued when a speeding car hit the Lower Bari Doab Canal bridge while saving a motorcycle near Harappa City on Sunday night.

Reports said six friends werereturning home after doing Eid shopping in Sahiwal City by a car. At LBDC, a bike suddenly appeared and the car hit the canal bridge while saving the motorcyclist. Two of them -Yasir and Hamza were killed.

INFLATION: The prices of vegetables and fruits have increased by 100 per cent in the local market just ahead of Eid.

Consumers have complained that there is no mechanism to check prices.

Reports said lemon, garlic, tomato, cucumber, green chilli, onion, ginger, apple, banana and apricot were sold at the rate of Rs700, Rs360, Rs130, Rs80, Rs120, Rs100, Rs370, Rs300, Rs150 and Rs200 per kg, respectively.

Chicken meat, mutton and beef were available at Rs350, Rs1,500 and Rs600 per kilo, respectively.