RAWALPINDI More than 127 shops reduced to ashes when fire broke out at citys largest Imperial Market, Raja Bazaar, in wee hours of Saturday, informed Rescue 1122. The loss of traders running their business in Imperial Market was estimated Rs 50 million, Rescue 1122 and some affected traders informed the media persons. According to them, the fire erupted on the first floor of Imperial Market in Raja Bazaar which spread rapidly and engulfed 127 shops. They said that at the time of incident, the market was closed while the flames of fire reached out to nearby shops. Seeing flames and smoke smoldering from the market, the watchman rang up Rescue 1122, which rushed to the site and started rescues operation and showered water to extinguish fire. After hectic efforts, the firefighters controlled fire. The fire caused millions of rupees loss to shopkeepers, rescuer told. According to Traders Association of Imperial Market said that short circuit could be the reason behind the fire incident. They informed that fire damaged the mobile and CD shops irreparably and during the extinguishing of fire process the remaining goods were burnt to ashes. Station House Officer (SHO) Police Station (PS) City Mirza Yusaf rebutted the reports of blazing 127 shops in Imperial Market inferno saying: Only 30 to 35 shops have been gutted owing to fire. He said that so far 11 victim traders lodged complaints with police. Police was facing hurdles because of smoke smoldering from the debris of ashes in determining how many shops were burnt in the inferno, SHO added. Agencies add: According to Rescue 1122 and eyewitnesses, the fire started on the ground floor which later engulfed dozens of shops up to the second floor of the building. Duty officer Rescue 1122 talking to APP informed that Rescue 1122 received information in this regard at 1:29 a.m. midnight. Rescue 1122 vehicles rushed to the spot and started firefighting operation along with the fire brigade which lasted for nearly four hours. The vehicles of Rescue 1122 reached the scene within few minutes and the fire was brought under control, he added. Police and rescue 1122 officials also worked alongside the fire brigade squad to put out the fire. The cause of the fire is stated to be electric short-circuit. Chowkidars of the market witnessed the smoke curling up and flames of fire rising sky high and they informed Rescue 1122. The fire brigade and Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the site and started rescues operation and prevented the spread of the fire to other floors of the market. The firefighters brought the fire under control after hectic effort. Short-circuiting is stated to be the reason behind this fire eruption incident. Imperial market traders association office bearers told fire damaged the mobile and CD shops irreparably and during the extinguishing of fire process the remaining goods were burnt to ashes.