About 12 houses gutted in fire in Srinagar

Srinagar, Jan 25 (UNI) About 12 houses were gutted in a devastating fire at historic Lal Chowk here today, official sources said.

However, the nearby Gurdwara was safe, they added.

The sources said the fire broke out at the Lal Chowk this morning and spread houses before the fire tenders could reach the spot.

Leaping flames could be seen from a distance, they said, adding about a dozen houses were gutted in the incident.

The sources said a rare portion of the hotel Standard was also gutted.

About a dozen fire tenders from Batmaloo fire service headquarters and from other nearby fire stations were rushed to the area, a fire brigade official said.

The blaze was brought under control, he said, adding the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.

UNI BAS SW RS1319