A major fire tore through a market near Jammu Railway Station overnight, destroying around 40 shops, officials said on Monday, according to PTI in a report carried by The Hindu. No casualties were reported.
Five hours of flames
The fire broke out at about 10.30 pm on Sunday in Shiv Market, opposite the station. It burned for nearly five hours before being brought under control at around 3.15 am on Monday.
Most of the gutted shops sold food supplies, dry fruits and blankets, a heavy blow to traders who depended on the market for their living.
What caused it
Preliminary investigation suggests a short circuit in one shop started the fire, which then spread quickly across the market, fanned by the wind, officials said.
Why firefighting was hard
The narrow approach to the market made it difficult for fire engines to reach the burning shops directly. Firefighters had to tackle the blaze from the back of the market to stop it spreading further, officials said.
What next
Officials have not given an estimate of the losses or said whether the traders will receive compensation. The investigation into the cause is continuing.