Fire Ravages 14 Shops in North Kashmir | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: At least 14 shops were gutted in a fire that broke out in the main market of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district in the early hours of Thursday, officials said.

The blaze erupted around dawn and rapidly spread to adjacent shops due to the congested nature of the marketplace, they said. Thick smoke engulfed the area as flames leapt from one structure to another, triggering panic among residents and traders.

Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the spot soon after receiving information and launched a firefighting operation. Teams of Jammu and Kashmir Police and local volunteers assisted in containing the blaze, officials said.

After several hours of effort, the fire was brought under control, preventing it from spreading to nearby residential houses, they added.

Property worth crores of rupees is feared to have been damaged in the incident, though the exact extent of the losses is being assessed.

Eyewitnesses said a large number of people gathered at the site as firefighters battled the flames. Several shopkeepers were seen removing whatever goods they could salvage, while others watched as their establishments were reduced to rubble.

Officials confirmed that no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Authorities have initiated an inquiry to ascertain the origin of the blaze.

The incident has prompted traders to seek compensation and improved fire safety measures in the market area. (KNS).