Fire guts shops in Jammu's Warehouse Nehru Market
Chief minister Omar Abdullah has ordered immediate relief for shopkeepers after a Sunday night blaze destroyed multiple businesses.
A major fire broke out at the Warehouse Nehru Market in Bikram Chowk, Jammu, on Sunday night, November 8. According to the Hindustan Times, the blaze gutted approximately 15 shops in the historic wholesale hub, which trades in essential commodities, foodgrains, and edible oil.
The Fire and Emergency Services Department stated the fire started in a shop around 9.15 pm and spread rapidly because of stored edible oil. No injuries or casualties were reported in the incident, which occurred during Diwali celebrations.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Vikas Kundal said the fire was largely brought under control and officials were working to extinguish remaining flames in the last few shops. A separate fire also occurred at a store room in the Kathua district police lines at 9.50 pm.
Warehouse Association president Deepak Gupta alleged that the fire brigade was negligent, claiming that despite a station being located just five minutes from the site, only two engines reached the scene about 90 minutes after the fire started. Gupta also alleged that officials did not initially answer phone calls.
Department officials denied the claims of delay, stating they responded to the initial call immediately by deploying two fire tenders from the nearest station, followed by reinforcements. Chief minister Omar Abdullah has directed the district administration to provide assistance to the affected shopkeepers.