Rs 2 crore machinery, cotton go up in smoke

The fire said to have been triggered by electric short circuit destroyed more than 2,000 bales, 10 spindles and 250 tonnes of cotton seeds stocked in four godowns of Rajeshwari Industries in Vageesh Nagar. The machinery in the ginning and pressing unit have been charred in the flames. It took over 18 hours for 36 personnel and eight fire tenders to control the fire. More than 10,000 bales stocked in the yard were saved as fire tenders arrived at the spot immediately. The damage has been assessed at about Rs two crore. A fire in the same factory barely three months ago had caused a loss to the tune of Rs six lakh.

The frequent fire incidents have emphasised the demand for stationing a fire tender at the market yard. The APMC, which stands first in the State in terms of cotton sales, rakes in a revenue far in excess of Rs one crore per year. More than 3.5 lakh cotton bales are traded in the market per annum. The Traders Association has charged the APMC of not responding to the demand in spite of repeated requests.