Fire Destroys Several Shops, Homes, Apple Produce in North Kashmir

SRINAGAR: A massive fire broke out in Aloosa village of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday, destroying three shops, partially damaging three residential houses and reducing nearly three thousand apple boxes to ashes.

The fire quickly spread to adjoining structures. Locals said the presence of highly flammable material in the commercial establishments intensified the blaze, making it difficult to contain in the initial moments.

Thick smoke soon enveloped the area as panic-stricken shopkeepers and inhabitants rushed to salvage their belongings. Several locals were seen attempting to douse the flames with buckets of water before fire tenders arrived on the scene.

“Everything is gone,” a local man said while sifting through the charred debris of a shop, describing the devastation left behind by the fire.

Locals alleged that the absence of an immediately available fire service in the Tehsil area results in significant delays during emergencies. They said it usually takes nearly an hour for fire tenders to reach the spot, by which time the damage becomes extensive.

Officials said the cause of the fire was not immediately known. A case has been registered and further investigation is underway. Authorities have also begun assessing the losses suffered by the affected families, including the destruction of stored apple produce.

Firefighting teams managed to prevent the blaze from spreading deeper into the residential cluster, though cooling operations continued for several hours. [KNT]