Overview
- A fire broke out in Warehouse Nehru Market on Sunday night around 9:15 p.m. and spread quickly to adjoining shops, with reports saying roughly eight to fifteen outlets were gutted.
- Firefighters from several stations launched a coordinated response and Divisional Commissioner Vikas Kundal said the blaze has been largely brought under control with remaining flames being extinguished.
- No casualties were reported in the Nehru Market incident or in a separate Kathua district store-room fire that occurred later the same night.
- Investigators are examining the cause with officials citing the possibility of Diwali firecrackers and the rapid spread being worsened by stored edible oil in shops, and local leaders have alleged delayed fire-department response.
- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah ordered immediate relief for affected shopkeepers and the losses have renewed calls to station fire tenders at major markets and to review fire service response after recent market blazes.