6 shops gutted in Nishat blaze

Srinagar, Jul 6: Atleast six shops were gutted in a massive fire incident that broke out near at n Nishat area on Sunday evening.

The fire, which erupted around 7 PM, triggered panic in the locality as towering flames and thick columns of smoke engulfed the area. Officials from the Fire and Emergency Services Department said initially fire started from one of the shops and quickly spread to the adjoining structures. "We immediately pressed firefighting units from the nearest Brane and Shalimar stations, and later called for backup from our Headquarters to bring the situation under control,” said an official from the department.

Witnesses said there was chaos as shopkeepers and locals struggled to save goods from the burning shops. Many residents were seen assisting firefighters and moving items to safety.

The officials said that the firefighting operation continued for several hours before the flames were fully doused. They said one firefighter sustained minor injuries during the operation but is in stable condition.

They said the exact cause of the blaze remains unknown, and will be known after the investigation

The incident comes amid a prolonged spell of scorching heat in Srinagar, which officials say has led to a rise in fire-related incidents across the city. “We urge people to strictly follow fire safety advisories and take all necessary precautions, especially during this period of intense heat,” the official added.