Eight shops, house damaged in blaze in north Kashmir’s Hajin

Bandipora, Feb 28: At least eight shops and a residential house were damaged in an overnight blaze in the Hajin area of north Kashmir's Bandipora district.

According to locals, five shops in an upper complex near Sheikh Mohalla were completely destroyed, while a residential house was partially damaged.

Mohammad Ramzan Teli, the house owner, broke down in tears as he recounted the incident. "It was around 10:30 PM when we were preparing to sleep that we saw a shop outside on fire," he said.

"We called the fire service, but they arrived very late. By then, my house was also engulfed in flames," Teli added. "The upper story of my house has been completely damaged, and five shops have been reduced to ashes."

Still in shock, Teli, who is a manual laborer, said that while his family was miraculously saved, all their belongings, including clothes, were turned to ashes. "Please do justice," he pleaded, tears streaming down his face. "I had given my blood and sweat to construct this house, and now it’s all gone."

Meanwhile, authorities are assessing the situation. Local MLA Hilal Akbar Lone, along with administration officials, including the SDM and Tehsildar, have reached the spot.

Notably, the site of the fire is the same area where the road alongside the Jhelum River caved in a few days ago. On Thursday, the cracks further widened, giving sleepless nights to residents.