Bandipora: A massive fire erupted in the main market of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district in the early hours of Thursday, destroying at least 14 shops and prompting fears of heavy financial loss for local traders, officials said.
The blaze broke out around dawn in the congested commercial hub, quickly spreading from one establishment to neighbouring shops amid thick smoke and intense flames that triggered panic among shopkeepers and residents. Fire and Emergency Services teams from Bandipora and nearby stations were rushed to the scene along with support from local police and volunteers to tackle the inferno.
Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before managing to bring it under control, averting its spread to adjacent residential houses, officials said. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident, but goods and property worth crores of rupees are feared to have been damaged.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as they watched the flames consume business premises, with many shopkeepers frantically removing whatever stock they could salvage from the burning structures. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and an inquiry has been launched by authorities to determine its origin.
Trade bodies and affected traders have urged the district administration to conduct a prompt assessment of losses and provide financial assistance and compensation to those impacted by the devastating blaze.
