The police officials investigating a recent fire accident at the Russel Market in the southern Indian city of Bangalore has said that the fire might have been caused by a electrical short circuit.

About 170 shops in the historic, 85-year-old building were destroyed in the fire accident, which fortunately did not involve any casualties, according to the police. The fire started at about 4.10 am in Russel Market, which is within the limits of the Shivajinagar police station in Bangalore.

The Russel Market building was built during British rule in 1927 and included shops that sold items including fruits, mutton, fish, vegetable and flowers. Police also said that around 20 firefighters worked for five hours put down the fire.

Shankaralinge Gowda, the Commissioner of the Bruhut Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) said that the officials are currently estimating the losses in the fire accident. He also said that appropriate condensation will be given to vendors, who their shops to the fire.

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has already visited the spot to assess damage caused to the property. He announced Rs. 50,000 compensation for shopkeepers who lost their shops to the accident.