Daijiworld Media Network – Poonch

Poonch, Jun 7: A major fire broke out in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district early on Sunday, destroying 13 shops and causing property losses estimated to be worth several crores of rupees. No casualties were reported in the incident.

According to officials, the blaze erupted around 5 am in the central market area of Bufliaz village along the Mughal Road. Most of the affected shops were built with wood and tin sheets, allowing the fire to spread rapidly through the market.

Local residents, with assistance from Army and CRPF personnel, immediately launched firefighting efforts to contain the blaze. Fire and Emergency Services personnel later joined the operation.

An official from the Fire and Emergency Services Department said the fire was brought under control within about 30 minutes, preventing further damage to nearby structures. Preliminary investigations indicate that a short circuit in one of the shops may have triggered the fire.

Meanwhile, local residents and traders expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as the delayed response of the civil administration. A shop owner affected by the fire alleged that the absence of a fire station in the area significantly hampered emergency response efforts, claiming that a fire tender from Surankote reached the spot more than an hour after the blaze started.

The affected trader credited Army and CRPF personnel for their swift intervention, stating that their efforts helped save at least four shops from being destroyed.

Residents also alleged that no civil administration official visited the site immediately after the incident to assess the damage or extend assistance to those affected.

Traders and locals demanded the establishment of a permanent fire station in Bufliaz, arguing that the lack of emergency infrastructure continues to put lives and property at risk. They also urged the administration to conduct a detailed assessment of the losses and provide adequate financial assistance to help affected families and shopkeepers rebuild their livelihoods.