A fire that occurred at Sky Walk Shopping Mall at the corner of 78th Street and 34th Street in Chanayethazan Township, Mandalay Region, cost a loss of about Ks1 billion in property damage, and a legal case has been opened against an official from a shop on the first floor for starting the fire, according to Mandalay Region Fire Services Department. 

"In the Sky Walk fire, buildings and materials were burnt down and they cost about Ks1 billion. Giordano store that allegedly started the fire is under police investigation," said Than Zaw Oo, head of the department. 

However, Giordano for its part denied responsibility. 

"It is not true at all that our shop started fire. The answer will emerge after investigation. Unlike the spread of rumour, the fire did not start from our shop," said an official from Giordano. 

Police captain Sai Hla Htoo, head of Mandalay District Police Force, said: "The case was opened for negligence. But we cannot exactly say which shop started fire. The case was opened based on hearsay. After investigation, we will release details." 

The manager of Giordano Shop faces a suit at Chanayethazan Police Station under Section 285 of the Penal Code. 

The fire started at about 6pm on January 17 and was put out at 2 am on January 18. A total of 125 shops were destroyed by the fire which engulfed almost the whole first floor. 

A management committee has been formed under the leadership of the deputy mayor of Mandalay to reopen the shopping mall.