Jaipur, Sept. 18 -- A massive fire broke out at a three-storey commercial complex in Maniharon Ka Katla in the congested Tripolia Bazaar area of Jaipur on Thursday morning, engulfing nearly 25 shops and warehouses and sending thick smoke across the walled city, officials said. The fire was reported around 7am at Sethi Complex. Firefighters reached the spot and deployed around 25-30 fire tenders and 50-60 personnel to contain the blaze. The operation continued until around 2.30pm as the fire repeatedly broke out in warehouses and shops containing clothes, plastic goods, cosmetics and bangles. SHO Rakesh Khyalya said: "Prima facie, the fire appears to have started due to a short circuit. The fire NOC will also be examined," he said. "The fire had spread extensively. Since there was no proper ventilation, our personnel were unable to reach some of the affected portions. The shops contained cosmetics and clothes, which kept catching fire intermittently. We had to carry out some demolition to reach the fire," ACP Piyush Kavia said. The fire also damaged a neighbouring shop after a wall collapsed amid the blaze. Five commercial LPG cylinders inside the building were removed by firefighters as a precautionary measure. Electricity supply was also shut down during the firefighting operation. Several surrounding markets remained closed during the operation as a precautionary measure. The incident brought traffic in the city to a standstill, with congestion reported around Badi Chaupar, Johari Bazaar and Tripolia Bazaar. Local residents alleged that traders in the area routinely store large quantities of merchandise outside shops, including in verandahs and enclosed balcony spaces, making firefighting and movement difficult. Kishanpole Congress MLA Amin Kagzi alleged that illegal encroachments had been allowed to flourish under government supervision. "There should be a reinspection of all fire NOCs issued in the walled city. If fire-safety systems are not functioning, how are these NOCs being issued?" he said. Hawa Mahal BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya raised questions over the fire-safety system and alleged that an illegally constructed hotel was also being developed in the area. "The expenditure made under the Smart City project and how the money was utilised by authorities should be investigated. Action should be taken against officials who issued fire NOCs without proper inspection"....