Blaze guts two residential houses, 14 shops in north Kashmir's Sumbal

Bandipora, May 19: A devastating fire broke out during the night in the main market of Sumbal, north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, reducing two residential houses and around 14 shops to rubble.

The cause of the blaze is yet to be determined. However, locals ruled out an electrical short circuit, citing that power had been cut due to strong winds and a thunderstorm.

According to residents, the fire started around 1:30 AM. Firefighters were called to the scene and managed to bring the flames under control by 3 AM.

"I estimate that about five families have lost their homes," said Nazir Ahmad, president of the Sumbal Traders Federation. "Twelve to fourteen shops were also damaged in the fire."

Danish Ahmad, a local shopkeeper, said the affected establishments included shops selling mobile accessories, jewellery, daily essentials, readymade garments, and meat.

Nazir Ahmad added that the total losses could be "estimated in crores."

Notably, a similar incident occurred just a day earlier in Hajin, where a fire gutted a bakery unit and two residential houses.