Jammu Shiv Market Fire: About 40 Shops Gutted Near Railway Station

About 40 shops at Shiv Market, opposite Jammu Railway Station, were gutted in a fire that broke out at around 10:30 pm on Sunday, 25 October, and burned for nearly five hours before firefighters brought it under control at about 3:15 am on Monday, officials told PTI. No one was injured. A short circuit in one shop is the suspected cause, according to preliminary findings, and wind helped the flames spread.

Dry Fruit and Blanket Stalls Lost Before Winter

Most of the burnt shops sold food supplies, dry fruits and blankets, officials said; the market also has eateries and dhabas. Local BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa, who was at the site, put the count at 35 to 40 shops and said the damage was “on a massive scale”. He said that by the time the fire brigade arrived the flames had spread across the market. Officials said the narrow entrance made access difficult, so crews fought the fire from the rear.

The Deputy Commissioner, SP South and police teams were at the site, Randhawa said, adding that compensation would be discussed with the administration once the damage is assessed. The district administration had not issued a public statement on losses or relief by 10 AM IST on Monday. Other news from the Union Territory is on our Jammu and Kashmir coverage and the Quick Reads page.

Source: Based on reporting by The Tribune / PTI, ThePrint and The NewsMill.

Image: The Tribune / PTI.