50 shops, 2 Govt bldgs gutted in major fire in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 5 (UNI) About 50 shops, two government buildings and several houses were gutted in a devastating fire in Keran area of Kupwara district of north Kashmir, police said today.

They said the fire broke out from a shop at Mandian in Keran area of Kupwara district during the intervening night of January 4-5.

The blaze soon engulfed four double-storied buildings and one residential house, police added.

Police said about 50 shops, two government offices -- one of the Horticulture department and the second of the State Forest Corporation -- were also completely gutted in the inferno.

Police said the cause of the fire was being ascertained.

UNI