Two houses, 20 shops gutted in Kulgam

SRINAGAR — Two residential houses and upper portion of a shopping complex having around 20 shops were severely damaged in a devastating fire in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.

They said that fire erupted in the main market of Nihama Kulgam, engulfing two residential houses and a shopping complex.

The houses and upper portion of the shopping complex suffered severe damage, the officials said. Around 20 shops in the complex suffered no or little damage, the officials added.

In all, four fire tenders were rushed from Kulgam, Mazgam and Bijpora stations to douse off the flames. “It was after hectic efforts that the fire was controlled,” officials said.

Regarding the cause of the incident, the official said that apparently it was due to short-circuit but “police investigations are underway and would be fully known after the investigations are completed.”