PRAYAGRAJ, April 29 -- Sixteen people were rescued after a major fire broke out at a timber store in Bansmandi area of Mutthiganj in the early hours of Sunday. By the time it could be put out, the fire had spread across all floors of the building.

Although goods worth lakhs of rupees were reduced to ashes, no major injuries were reported in the incident believed to have taken place due to a short circuit, officials said.

It took 10 fire tenders and a 10-hour struggle to bring the fire under control. All 16 who were rescued were workers who were sleeping on the top floor of the building.

Pradeep Bhagat of Bansmandi owns the shop. As per reports, he said locals spotted flames emanating from the store late at night after he had shut it do...