Budgam, June 19: A major fire broke out during the predawn hours of Friday at Markazi Darul Uloom Syed Ali in the Pakharpora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, causing extensive damage to the religious seminary and reducing its top floor to ashes.
Local sources informed the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the blaze erupted at around 3:00 a.m. and rapidly engulfed the institution’s upper storey before firefighters and local residents could bring the situation under control.
The conflagration caused substantial damage to the seminary, destroying furniture, educational material, and other valuable assets. Preliminary estimates suggest that losses may run into several lakhs of rupees.
The institution caters to around 20 students pursuing religious education. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported, as all occupants were evacuated safely and the fire remained confined to the upper portion of the building.
Residents described the incident as a severe setback for the institution, which has been serving students from the area and adjoining localities.
Officials said the precise cause of the fire remains unknown. A probe has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances that led to the outbreak and determine whether any electrical fault or other factor was responsible for the incident.
Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage while efforts are underway to evaluate the requirements for restoration of the affected structure
