Mangalore: Thick smoke coming out of windows following a fire inside the syndicate bank branch in Hampankatta near Milagres at 8.30 pm on Monday (Jan.13) when the staff had gone home and there was none to report about the smoke and the fire probably due to short circuit, was noticed some one from outside contacted fire brigade of Pandeshwar and the fire fighters rush to the spot in two vehicles, broke the windows to get in and to extinguish the fire before and massive loss could take place.

The bank authority were called up to open the main door after the fire had subsided due to the efforts of fire safetymen in about an hour’s time after the heavy smoke bellowing out was notice.

The extent of damage in cash or kind has to be ascertained as yet, but the fire is under control thanks to the City Fire Brigade.