News

Fire engulfs Kashmir's Kupwara market

by IBNS 04 Apr 2017, 08:10 am

Kupwara, Apr 4 (IBNS): A major fire which broke out in Northern Kashmirs Kupwara district on Monday around 11 p.m., gutted more than 50 shops, seven houses and a commercial building, official said.

According to reports, the fire broke out in the Awoora area of Kupwara and engulfed the complete marketplace, spreading through the affected buildings.

Speaking to IBNS, Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara, Ghulam Mohammad Dar said, “We receive message on late last evening that massive fire engulfed many houses and shops in Awoora village of the District,”

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flame, which was put out timely despite shortage of water in the area, the Deputy Commissioner added.

However, locals said the fire could have been extinguished earlier but things turned ugly as fire tenders did not reach in time, leading to a massive loss.

The cause of the fire has not yet been identified but investigations will be carried out accordingly, officials said.

Meanwhile, the government has directed the district administration for immediate relief to the affected families.


(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)