Four wounded, arms damaged in devastating fire in Kashmir

Srinagar, June 12 (UNI) At least four people suffered burns and an arms and ammunition store-room was damaged in a devastating fire at a hotel here today, a fire official said.

District Fire Officer (Headquarters) Sajjad Ahmed Khan told UNI that the hotel, housing police personnel, near the police headquarters here caught fire this evening.

The building also had a store-room for arms and ammunition, he said, adding two floors of the hotel were completely damaged in the fire which broke out at 1900 hrs this evening.

Mr Khan said four people suffered burn wounds and were immediately rushed to the Sri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital here where they were stated to be out of danger.

The official said the firemen also managed to rescue four others from the building. Some arms and ammunition were damaged in the blaze, he added.

Mr Khan said they took out about five to six burnt rifles from the rubble. He said the cause of the fire was believed to be gas leak.

Mr Khan said seven fire tenders and a sky lift were pressed into service by the Fire Services to douse the raging flames.

He said the timely action by the fire personnel saved further damage to life and property.

UNI AG MSJ ND2216