A massive fire erupted at the Shiv Market, located directly opposite the Jammu Railway Station, during the early hours of Monday. The blaze caused extensive damage to the commercial area, with estimates suggesting that between 35 and 40 shops have been completely gutted. Despite the scale of the fire, authorities have confirmed that there have been no casualties or injuries reported following the incident.
BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa, who visited the site, stated that the fire appeared to have started due to a short circuit in a single shop. The flames spread rapidly through the densely packed market, which serves as a major commercial hub. The area is known for numerous shops selling dry fruits and blankets, alongside various eateries and dhabas. According to Randhawa, by the time emergency fire services arrived at the location, the fire had already engulfed a large portion of the market.
Describing the intensity of the incident, the MLA noted that the fire grew rapidly before it could be brought under control. He highlighted that the local police and senior officers remained on-site, with personnel from the station house officer (SHO) level to the superintendent of police (SP) actively assisting in the firefighting efforts. Footage and reports from the scene indicated that these officials were directly involved in manual tasks, including handling water hoses to help douse the flames.
Local shopkeepers have expressed significant distress over the loss, with one trader stating that at least 25 to 30 shops have suffered a total loss of their inventory and infrastructure. In the aftermath of the blaze, shopkeepers have called upon the administration to intervene quickly and provide financial compensation to help those affected by the disaster recover from the significant economic impact.
As of Monday morning, the full extent of the damage was still being determined by the authorities. The district administration, including the deputy commissioner and various senior police officers, remained present at the site to oversee the situation. Members of the local civil society also joined in to assist with relief and management efforts as emergency teams worked to secure the area.
Regarding the possibility of government assistance, Randhawa indicated that discussions regarding potential compensation for the affected shopkeepers would take place with the administration at a later stage, once the situation is fully resolved and assessed. He emphasized the massive nature of the destruction and noted the cooperation between the shopkeepers and the local authorities during this critical time.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with no official confirmation beyond the initial reports of a possible short circuit. For now, the primary focus for the local administration and emergency services remains the cooling of the site and ensuring the area is safe for those involved in the cleanup and assessment operations. The event has left a significant void in a busy transit hub, with the local business community now looking toward the government for support in the recovery process.
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