SRINAGAR: A major fire broke out in two shops near the Kalika Temple area of Poonch town, causing extensive damage and reducing goods worth several lakhs of rupees to ashes, officials and local residents said on Friday.
The blaze erupted in the commercial area and rapidly engulfed the two establishments, sending plumes of smoke into the air and triggering panic among shopkeepers and nearby residents.
Locals said frantic efforts were made to contain the inferno before it could spread to adjoining structures. Fire and Emergency Services personnel later reached the spot and launched an operation to bring the flames under control.
While no loss of life or injuries were reported, the conflagration caused substantial damage to merchandise, furniture and other property stored inside the affected shops. The exact assessment of losses is yet to be carried out by the authorities.
The incident has also sparked concern among local residents and traders, many of whom alleged that the fire brigade’s response was delayed, allowing the blaze to intensify before firefighting operations commenced.
They urged the administration to strengthen emergency response mechanisms and ensure quicker deployment of firefighting units, particularly in congested commercial localities where even minor delays can have severe ramifications.
Officials said the precise cause of the fire has not yet been established. A probe has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances that led to the outbreak. [KNT]
