Property worth crores was reduced to ashes in a devastating early morning fire in which two residential buildings and 4 shops were gutted in Kahara area of Gandoh Sub Division in district Doda.
According to reports, two residential buildings cum shopping complexes and 4 shops came under mysterious blaze in main market of Kahara, 46 kms from Doda town.
The fire, which started at 4:30 a.m.
After getting information, a police team rushed to the spot and with the help of locals doused the flames, but till then huge damage was done. Later fire tenders from Gandoh and Thathri reached the spot.
No casualty has been reported in the incident.
When contacted, ASP Bhadarwah Rajinder Singh said, “Police team led by Incharge Police Post Kahara Nazir Ahmed Rishu along with SSB, fire tenders and locals reached the spot and started to douse the flames, which was spreading very rapidly as the residential cum shopping complex building and shops were located in densely populated market and all the adjoining structures are mostly made of cedar and pine wood.”
“As of now, fire has been completely extinguished and we are assessing the losses,” the ASP said.
Police have started investigation into the matter.
According to reports, gutted buildings belong to Abdul Qayoom Butt and Showket Khan of Kahara.
Aggrieved over the repeated fire incidents in the area resulting in loss of property and life, locals gathered at Kahara and blocked the Thathri-Gandoh road demanding permanent fire tender office at Kahara.
According to reports more than a dozen fire incidents were reported from different areas of Bhalessa in last one year including three devastating ones in Kahara market alone resulting in loss of property worth crores.
Ghulam Nabi Azad expresses grief
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad today expressed grief over damage to the properties due to massive fire in Kahara area of district Doda.
“My all sympathies are with the affected families and have instructed the divisional & district administration to provide immediate help and support to all those affected due the devastating blaze,” Azad said.
Ghulam Nabi Azad also demanded immediate provisions for fire-fighting equipment for areas like Kahara, Gawari, Bathri, Malikpora, Gandoh and Bhatyas and said had there been facilities available destruction would have been restricted.