A fire broke out in a shopping complex at Gonikhan market in Srinagar, causing partial damage to a jewellery shop and triggering panic among other shopkeepers. The timely intervention of firefighters prevented a major catastrophe, saving the shopping complex that houses over 30 shops.
According to officials, the fire erupted from the fourth storey of the shopping complex on Tuesday morning. Flames quickly spread to parts of the building, prompting an immediate response from the Fire and Emergency Services Department. Firefighters, assisted by locals, worked swiftly to bring the blaze under control before it could engulf the entire market."A jewellery shop belonging to Muhammad Yasin Sofi of Mehjoor Nagar, Srinagar, suffered partial damage," an official confirmed, adding that water used during the cooling operation seeped into other shops, leading to minor losses.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and urgency, as shopkeepers rushed to safeguard their goods while firefighting teams battled the flames. "It was a terrifying sight. Smoke was billowing from the building, and we feared the fire would spread to adjoining structures," said a shopkeeper
Police have taken up an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. However, preliminary reports suggest that an electrical short circuit might have triggered the blaze.