Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, July 24: A recently opened wine shop at Potha Bypass road in Surankote Tehsil of Poonch district caught fire under mysterious circumstances today.
Official sources said that the incident was reported during wee hours today when the shop was closed. Some people claimed that fire broke out due to `alleged electric short circuit’. Since large number of liquor bottles and boxes were lying inside, they aggravated the fire and caused huge loss.
They said that soon after receiving the information, J&K Police, Fire and Emergency Services squad rushed to the spot for necessary action but till then huge loss of property had occurred. Click here to watch video
Station House Officer Surankote, Inspector Rajveer said that fire didn’t engulf whole shop, it was restricted to an area but as the shop was closed and the heat produced due to that damaged maximum wine bottles. ” The other effected bottles were also destroyed later”, he added.
Pertinent to mention that opening of this wine shop was opposed by political, social, religious leaders and general public of Surankote tehsil. The protests and dharna’s were held, urging administration to close it immediately.
Meanwhile, police registered a case and started investigation. The operators have alleged some foul play.
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