POONCH, June 7: At least 13 shops were gutted in a massive fire incident that broke out at the Main Chowk market in the Bufliaz area of Surankote tehsil in Poonch district on Sunday, officials said.
Reports reaching Kashmir News Corner (KNC) said that the blaze erupted in the busy Bufliaz market, triggering panic among shopkeepers and local residents. The fire spread rapidly to adjoining structures, engulfing a total of 13 shops before efforts were launched to bring the situation under control.
Soon after the incident, local residents, personnel of the Indian Army’s Romeo Force, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police rushed to the spot and joined the rescue and firefighting operation to prevent the flames from spreading further.
Station House Officer (SHO) Surankote, Abid Bukhari, also reached the site and supervised the operation on the ground.
The exact cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained. However, the authorities have initiated an inquiry to determine the circumstances that led to the incident.
No loss of life or injuries had been reported till the filing of this report, while the extent of damage to property was being assessed by the concerned authorities.
Further details are awaited. (KNC)
