Eight shops gutted in fire

KOZHIKODE: A roadside hotel and about eight shops were gutted in a fire that broke out in the city in the early hours Tuesday but there were no casualties, police said.

The fire was noticed in the hotel around 1.45 am and soon spread to nearby shops, police said.

It was put out after a four-hour battle by fire force and police personnel. Police suspect that short circuit might have been the reason for the fire.