MIRPURKHAS: Suffocating teargas and smoke filled the atmosphere in Mirpurkhas Police Lines (a residential complex) and adjoining locality on Monday after a fire broke out in the ammunition store present inside.

A big stock of tear gas shells, besides propeller guns and other weapons, were destroyed by the fire.

The cause of the blaze could not be ascertained immediately.

The emitting teargas coupled with thick smoke caused breathing problems to the residents of the Police Lines and the surrounding locality.

The bomb disposal squade (BDS), area police, fire brigade and a Rescue-1122 team rushed to the police headquarters soon after the fire broke out. Firefighters managed to control the blast after hectic efforts after which the BDS examined the store to ascertain the cause.

Mirpurkhas SSP Dr Sameer Noor Channa supervised the firefighting as well as the operation to save residents of the housing complex from effects of the gas and smoke.

The entire area was cordoned off for security reasons during the operation.

The SSP said he had ordered an inquiry into the incident in which a considerably big stock of police arms and ammunition had been destroyed.