Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Feb 26: At least 20 shops were damaged in a fire that broke out in the main market of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district in the early hours of Thursday, officials said.
The blaze erupted around dawn and spread rapidly to adjacent shops due to the congested layout of the marketplace. Thick smoke engulfed the area as flames leapt from one structure to another, triggering panic among residents and traders, they said.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the spot soon after receiving information and launched a firefighting operation. Teams of Jammu and Kashmir Police and local volunteers assisted in dousing the flames.
After several hours of efforts, the fire was brought under control, preventing it from spreading to nearby residential houses, officials said, adding that no casualties or injuries were reported.
Property worth crores of rupees is feared to have been damaged, though the exact extent of the losses is being assessed. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, and an inquiry has been initiated to ascertain its origin.
Meanwhile, Bandipora MLA Nizamuddin Bhat visited the site and sought immediate financial assistance and rehabilitation support for the affected traders.
He said around 29 shops were damaged in the blaze, and nearly 39 families dependent on these establishments had suffered losses. “Multi-storeyed buildings and entire stocks have been reduced to ashes. It will take a long time for them to recover,” he said.
Bhat urged the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and the Chief Minister to provide compensation beyond routine provisions, stating that existing rules offer limited relief for commercial losses.
He also called for the early settlement of insurance claims of affected traders to enable them to restart their businesses. The MLA announced Rs 20 lakh in assistance for the market from the Constituency Development Fund, subject to applicable rules.
Bhat appreciated the role of local youth and Fire and Emergency Services personnel for their timely response, which helped contain the blaze.
