Major fire in Kashmir, 20 houses gutted

Srinagar, Oct 10: A major fire tore through a locality in the old city last night, destroying at least 20 residential houses, a senior official said today.

However, residents of Nalbandpora locality in Safa Kadal area of downtown Srinagar claimed that more than 30 houses were gutted in the devastating fire that began at 2000 hrs last night, which was celebrated as Shab-e-Qadr, the ''night of power'' when the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad.

The firefighters took about six hours to extinguish the blaze, which was caused by a short circuit.

Several people, including some personnel, sustained minor injuries during the firefighting operation.

Divisional Fire Officer Sajjad Ahmed Khan told UNI