Mysuru: Two shops were gutted in a fire near CITB Choultry at Hebbal in city this morning.

The shops, Sri Vinayaka Home Appliances and a provision store next to it, are owned by one Prabhavathi. The shops were closed since three days as Prabhavathi had gone out of station to attend a function. She had returned yesterday night and was supposed to open the shops today.

Today at about 7 am, Prabhavathi receives a call from her neighbour, who informs her that her shops were on fire. She then rushed to her shop only to see them in flames and immediately informed the Hebbal Police and the Fire Brigade Station.

Soon, Fire and Emergency Services personnel from Hebbal Fire Brigade Station arrived at the spot and took nearly two hours to extinguish the fire and prevented it from spreading to adjoining shops. But by the time, the fire had destroyed the articles and other items in both the shops.

Meanwhile, Prabhavathi, speaking to Star of Mysore, said that goods worth Rs. 6-7 lakh has been destroyed in the fires and the Police and Fire personnel were estimating the loss. She suspected that short circuit may have caused the fire. Hebbal Police, who have registered a case in this regard, are investigating.