Hundreds of bikes were destroyed in a massive fire at a showroom in north-eastern India on February 4.

A warehouse behind the Hero bike showroom in Jehanabad, Bihar, caught fire in the afternoon. As employees had reportedly gone for lunch, fire was not spotted immediately.

When they noticed the smoke and rushed to the warehouse it was already in ablaze.

Three fire engines rushed to the spot and battled for nearly three hours to bring the fire under control.

Showroom employees said the warehouse had nearly 500 bikes. “We managed to save a few bikes and nearly 350 bikes were destroyed,” said Deepak Kumar an employee.

Initial estimates say the showroom may have suffered a loss of 35 million rupees or nearly half a million US dollars.

“A short circuit may have caused the fire though only a thorough probe can reveal the correct picture,” said a police official.