SRINAGAR: At least 12 shops were gutted in a massive fire that broke out at the historic Nehru Market in Jammu city on Sunday night, causing extensive losses to traders, prompting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to direct the district administration to assess the damage and provide immediate relief to those affected.
The fire broke out at around 9.15 pm in a shop in the Warehouse Nehru Market, a major wholesale trading hub dealing in foodgrains, essential commodities and other daily-use items. It quickly spread to adjoining establishments, reportedly fuelled by the presence of edible oil, officials said.
Fire tenders from several stations across Jammu city were rushed to the spot to bring the blaze under control. No casualties were reported.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Vikas Kundal said the fire had been largely brought under control, with efforts continuing to extinguish the remaining flames.
“Fire and Emergency Services personnel, police teams and the civil administration are present at the spot. The fire has been brought under control, and efforts are underway to extinguish the remaining flames in the last one or two shops,” he told reporters.
The exact cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the incident and extended his sympathies to the affected people. He directed the district administration to assess the damage and ensure that all necessary assistance reached those in need.
He also called for a comprehensive assessment of the losses caused by the fire and immediate relief for those affected.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh also expressed concern over the incident on Monday, saying the fire had caused extensive losses to traders and the business community.
In a post on X, Singh flagged allegations of a delayed response by the Fire and Emergency Services, describing reports of a lack of prompt response as disturbing.
He expressed solidarity with the affected traders and urged the authorities to take appropriate action and address the situation on priority.
The historic Nehru Market, which has been serving traders, retailers and consumers since the 1950s, is among Jammu’s oldest wholesale trading hubs.
