3 shops gutted

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 26: Three shops with entire goods kept inside were burnt to ashes due to suspected short circuit in Panj Peer area near the town here on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.
A police spokesman said that a person namely, Chandra Prakash had a shop of dry fruits and eatables in Panj Peer area. There were tailor’s and barber’s shops nearby. The fire broke out in the shops during mid night and by the time the people around saw the fire and made noise and informed the fire brigade, the fire flames were rising high.
By the time the local people and fire fighting men could reach the site for action, all three shops and all the goods inside had been reduced to ashes.
On Monday morning, the police reached the spot and took stock and after completing the legal formalities started investigation.
In the preliminary investigation, it is being speculated that short circuit may be the reason behind the incident, but the police are also trying to find out about other reasons. On the other hand, the shop owners appealed to the district administration for help saying that everything they owned was reduced to ashes and they should be given some financial help.