SRINAGAR: At least 30 to 40 shops were gutted in a major fire at Shiv Market near Jammu Railway Station, causing extensive damage to the commercial establishment, officials said on Monday.
The fire broke out at around 10.30 pm on Sunday and continued for nearly five hours before being brought under control at around 3.15 am on Monday. No casualties have been reported.
Officials said most of the affected shops dealt in food supplies, dry fruits and blankets. The exact extent of the damage is yet to be assessed.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a short circuit in one of the shops may have triggered the blaze, which spread rapidly to adjoining establishments, officials said. Winds further fuelled the flames.
Firefighters faced difficulties in reaching the affected shops because of the narrow approach to the market. Emergency teams had to tackle the blaze from the rear side of the market to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further.
BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa said around 35 to 40 shops had been completely gutted. He said the market also housed eateries and dhabas alongside shops selling dry fruits and blankets.
Randhawa said the issue of compensation for the affected traders would be taken up with the administration once the situation was brought under control.
