Two shops gutted in Banihal market
Banihal, Jun 22: A fire broke out in a shopping complex in the main market of Banihal town on the old Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Sunday evening, gutting two shops and causing panic among locals.
The blaze erupted around 6 pm in a three-storey commercial building owned by the Bhat brothers, which houses several business establishments, including shops and a computer institute.
According to officials, the computer shop of Muhammad Ishaq Naik and the tailoring shop of Jahangeer Ahmad Wani were gutted in the incident.
However, other adjoining shops and business units in the building were saved due to the swift response of the Fire and Emergency Services, Police, local administration, and volunteers from a Banihal-based NGO.
ìThanks to the timely intervention of Fire and Emergency Services, Police, and local volunteers, the fire was contained before it could spread further and cause more damage,î a Police official said.
The shops were closed at the time of the incident, as it was a Sunday.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, and investigations are underway.
No casualties were reported in the incident. However, property and inventory losses are being assessed.
The incident sparked concern among traders and residents in the area, with many urging authorities to install better fire safety mechanisms in commercial structures in the town.
