DERA GHAZI KHAN: A fire erupted in the upper storey of historical fort at Choti Zaireen, reducing to ashes its Sheesh Mehal here on Thursday.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out due to a short circuit and it engulfed the upper storey of the building where Sheesh Mehal is located.

The 500-year-old fort of Choti Zaireen is the native abode of chief of Leghari tribe. At present MNA Jafar Khan Leghari resides here.

Sources told Dawn that antiques and gifts presented by foreign dignitaries were reduced to ashes. Soon after the incident, fire brigade from Dera Ghazi Khan rushed to Choti Zaireen to extinguish the fire.

MNA Jafar Leghari and his spouse Meena Jafar were not present in Choti Zaireen at the time of the incident.