SALEM: The prices of firewood have started increasing in Salem region due to the shortage of cooking gas in the wake of the West Asia war. Many hotels in Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Erode districts have switched to cooking with firewood. Firewood seller S Prakash of Namakkal said the number of people buying firewood had increased in the last two days. Owners of bakeries and eateries said they started using firewood due to the current shortage of commercial cylinders. “We are forced to buy firewood as an alternative. But since the required quantity is not available, we fear that we will be able to continue our business,” said K Suresh, who runs a restaurant in Salem.Mohammad Khan, an eatery owner in Salem, said, “Since LPG cylinders have not been delivered to us even three days after booking them, we bought firewood and cooked food. One ‘gundu’ (25 kg) of firewood that had been sold for Rs 110 earlier was being sold at Rs 180 on Wednesday. We bought firewood for Rs 4,500,” he said.
