Jammu: A massive overnight fire ripped through Jammu’s Shiv Market near the Railway Station, gutting around 50 shops and a hotel and leaving behind a trail of destruction as 13 fire tenders battled the inferno for nearly eight hours.
Dry fruit outlets, bakeries, electronic shops, lodges and other commercial establishments were among those engulfed by the blaze, causing massive financial losses to traders. Several businesses that once made Shiv Market a bustling commercial hub were reduced to ashes as the fire spread rapidly through the area.
The fire broke out around midnight on Sunday, prompting an emergency response from the Fire and Emergency Services. Officials said multiple fire tenders were rushed to the spot, with firefighting operations continuing for hours before the blaze was brought under control.
The intensity of the fire was evident even in the morning, when smoke was still seen billowing from the affected premises despite hours of strenuous firefighting. The operation involved sustained efforts to contain the flames and prevent the fire from causing further damage.
A short circuit is suspected to have triggered the blaze, though the exact cause has yet to be officially ascertained. The extent of the financial losses is also yet to be formally assessed.
The destruction has dealt a severe blow to traders operating in the market, where shops dealing in different goods and accommodation facilities stood side by side. With dozens of establishments gutted, the fire has left many business owners facing substantial losses. [KNT]
