Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Dec 17: Property worth lakhs of rupees was reduced to ashes as a devastating fire engulfed several shops in Paghiala, Gulabgarh, here today.
The incident resulted in the complete destruction of several shops and vehicles, causing immense financial losses to families from Paghiala, Gulabgarh, and Baransal who depended on these for their livelihoods.
Despite the arrival of Police at the scene and hectic efforts by the locals to control the blazes, the fire rapidly spread and reduced everything to ashes due to the highly flammable nature of the shops, which were made of wood and dried grass.
The presence of gas cylinders in some shops further escalated the damage as they exploded after the fire started, making it impossible to control the flames in time.
According to Police, preliminary investigations suggest that the fire might have been triggered by an electrical short circuit, but the exact cause is still under investigation.
Even as there was no loss of life, property worth lakhs of rupees was gutted in the fire. However, exact amount of the loss could not be ascertained immediately.
According to Vice Chairperson of the District Development Council (DDC) Reasi, Adv Sajra Qadir, this unfortunate incident has left many families devastated and she was actively coordinating with the district administration to provide compensation to the affected families and expedite rehabilitation measures. “This tragedy underscores the importance of safety measures in vulnerable areas. We will work towards creating awareness about fire safety protocols and conducting regular inspections to ensure the safety of structures in such regions,” she said and appealed to the local community to extend their support to those who have suffered losses.
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