40 shops, bank and agriculture office gutted in Kashmir

Srinagar , Dec 5 (UNI) About 40 shops, a bank, an agriculture office and a public library besides ten houses and other structures were gutted in the Kashmir valley overnight, official sources said.

They said a fire broke out in a shop at main market at Trathpora, Vilgam, in the frontier district of Kupwara, about 85 km from here early this morning.

Before the fire tenders could control the leaping flames, it spread to the entire market, damaging about 40 shops, besides Kamraz Rural Bank, Public Library and an Agriculture office.

They said the bank record was, however, saved.

Sources said ten houses and other structures were also gutted in the fire. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, they added.

A residential house was gutted at Chawalgam, Kulgam, in south Kashmir.

According to official figures available, more than 600 fire incidents were reported in the Kashmir valley during the past three months in which property worth billions of rupees has been damaged.

UNI