A fire broke out at the upper potion of the Emerald Pawnshop at the second floor of the TGR Securities Corp. building yesterday, causing traffic congestion at Gonzaga and Araneta streets in Bacolod City.

The fire reportedly originated from the tunnel of the electrical supply line of the ground floor of the building, formerly known as Plaza Mart Mall, causing P50,000 in losses, fire reports said.

Fire Officer 3 Cornelio Silva, of the Bureau of Fire and Protection, yesterday said initial investigation showed the fire was caused by overloading that resulted in a short circuit.

Silva said the fire had already been contained by several building personnel through fire extinguishers so they did not apply water. Only thick smoke could be seen and the smell of burned electrical wires spread in the place.

Security guard Bony Parreņas yesterday said he was roving around the building when his companion informed him that smoke was coming out from a wall of the Emerald Pawnshop.

Parreņas said he immediately grabbed a 50-pound fire extinguisher in the area and put the fire out.

Dindo Cantiere, hair stylist at the Diane's Beauty Parlor said he spotted the smoke at the pawnshop, and this prompted him to take another fire extinguisher and help Parreņas in putting it out.