Fire at Lucknow's Coffee House

Lucknow, April 17 (IANS) A major blaze broke out in the legendary Coffee House here Tuesday evening, but was doused without the establishment suffering any major damage, police said. No casualties were reported.

Pandemonium broke out in the Coffee House, a meeting place of the local intelligentsia in the posh Hazratganj area, as smoke was seen billowing from its pantry area.

Within no tim,e flames started appearing from the kitchen side and staff members along with the visitors fled the place. The fire station, located nearby, was informed and fire fighters rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control in about an hour.

Staff members told IANS that while most part of the kitchen was gutted in the fire, the blaze was controlled before it could spread.

There was no loss of life or injury reported in the fire. Hazratganj police officials said the fire was doused in time and a major tragedy was averted. They suspect a short circuit as the reason for the fire.