SRINAGAR: A fire completely destroyed the Darul Uloom Umar Farooq madrasa at Rein Chowgund in the Verinag area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Monday evening.
The blaze broke out at around 9.30 pm when the madrasa was closed for holidays following the half-yearly examinations. Students were away on a 10-day vacation, with Monday marking the eighth day of the break.
Madrasa staff said the fire originated in an adjoining shed used to store firewood and wooden beams before spreading to the upper part of the building.
Staff members and local residents reached the spot and made efforts to bring the flames under control. However, a shortage of water hampered attempts to contain the fire.
The madrasa building was completely gutted in the incident.
No casualties were reported.
