SRINAGAR: Common attic of a retail mall was completely destroyed, while portions of a few nearby residential structures were damaged due to a massive blaze that broke out in a multi-storey shopping complex at Dargah Hazratbal near Kashmir University Campus this morning.
Fire, officials said, broke out in a multi-storey retail mall, housing several prominent businesses including food chains at Dargah Hazratbal opposite Sir Syed Gate of Kashmir University around 11:50 in the morning.
Officials said some passersby noticed thick smolders emanating from the attic portion of Amigos, a prominent multi-cuisine restaurant in Dargah.
They said that the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained. Nevertheless, back-to-back LPG cylinder explosions in the food outlet destroyed the entire attic, besides some residential houses situated behind the mall also suffered damage.
Fire tenders from several stations of Srinagar reached the spot to douse off the flames as soon as the department received the information, officials said.
“Several fire tenders were rushed to the spot as soon as information was received; it took us several hours to douse off the flames. Cause of fire is being ascertained,” a senior official of the Fire and Emergency Department told Kashmir Images, adding the blaze caused damage to the attic, roofing, and ceiling of the shopping mall.
The area witnessed massive traffic jams for over two hours, while consumers who had come to purchase food items, clothes, and other household items for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr in the area had a tough time.
“The fire was brought under control after hectic efforts, our men and machinery amid huge traffic jamming and crowd managed to bring the fire under control. There was no loss of life or injury to any person in the incident,” officials said.
