Aadil Abdullah
Bandipora, May 19 :
: A devastating fire engulfed the main market area of Sumbal in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, reducing at least 15 shops and four residential houses to ashes, officials said.
An official told news agency JKNS that soon after the fire broke out, fire tenders from Sumbal and Naidkhai, along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and local residents, launched a joint operation to contain the blaze. Despite prompt efforts, the fire rapidly spread, prompting reinforcement from Safapora and Batwina fire stations.
After hours of intense firefighting, the flames were finally brought under control. While assets worth crores were saved, property worth lakhs was destroyed in the inferno.
The gutted houses belonged to Bashir Ahmad Wani (son of Mohammad Sultan), Abdul Hameed Wani, Abdul Hameed Khanday, and Nazir Ahmad Khanday, all residents of Sumbal.
Officials said the cause of the fire remains unknown. Thankfully, no casualties or injuries were reported. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated an investigation.
Meanwhile, Nazir Ahmad Reshi, President of the Traders Federation Sumbal, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended solidarity to the affected families. He urged the Bandipora District Administration to provide immediate relief and compensation to the victims. (JKNS)