Ramban, Feb 5: Seventy two temporary shops (kiosks) were reduced to ashes in a fire incident at Banihal Vegetable Market last night.
Officials said that the fire broke out around 2 AM in a temporary shop in a designated vegetable and fruit market in Banihal town. The fire spread and engulfed other shops in the market. The sources said that on getting information locals, police, fire services and army personnel rushed to the spot and launched a joint firefighting operation to douse off the flames.
They said the fire was brought under control but till then 72 temporary shops of fruit and vegetable vendors were destroyed.
Assistant Director of Fire and Emergency Services Ramban, Sahil Bandral said two fire tenders were pressed into service to extinguish the fire. He said one fire tender was summoned from Fire Station Banihal and another fire tender from the nearby district of Kulgam Kashmir. It took three hours for fire tenders to douse off the flames.
He said after hectic efforts the fire was brought under control at 5 am. He said no loss of life or injury to any person was reported in the incident. The fire was brought under control but dozens of tin and wooden sheds used by vendors were gutted in the fire.
Meanwhile, local political leaders, Market Association Banihal have expressed their grief over the damage to property of lakhs of vendors in a massive fire. They have demanded that the administration should provide adequate compensation and rehabilitation to the affected persons.
A Police officer said prima facie it appears that the fire broke out due to an electric short circuit. However, to ascertain the actual cause behind fire, a case was registered at Police Station Banihal and investigation was set into motion.