KARACHl: A shopkeeper suffered burn injuries and six cosmetic shops were completely destroyed and as many damaged when a huge fire erupted in Boulton Market on Tuesday afternoon, police and rescue services officials said.

Rescue-1122 official Hassaan Khan told Dawn the fire erupted in one shop, which spread and engulfed some 20-25 other shops of cosmetics, medicines and cigarette manufacturing material in the market.

He said they received information about the incident at 2:20pm. He said that four fire were dispatched to the scene and firefighters managed to to control the fire after the hectic efforts of three hours at 5:24pm.

The Rescue-1122 official said firefighters faced difficulties in narrow streets of the area.

Besides, he said, shopkeepers also created problems during the rescue operation as they wanted to remove their goods from shops to save them from fire.

The official said that during this struggle one shopkeeper, identified as Zahid Ali, 45, also suffered burn injuries.

The official said six shops were completely gutted while six others damaged.

The exact cause of the fire and estimation of financial loss were being ascertained, the officer added. -Staff Reporter