Budgam, Mar 8, KNT: A devastating fire broke out in the pre-dawn hours on Saturday, reducing an electronics shop to ashes in Utligam village of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Local sources told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the blaze erupted in the pre-dawn hours in a mobile and accessories store owned by Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat. By the time the fire was noticed, it had already engulfed the entire shop, causing extensive damage.
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“I received a call about the fire before dawn, but when we reached the spot, everything was already in flames,” Bhat said. “Electronic goods, including expensive mobile phones and accessories worth lakhs, were destroyed. This is a huge shock for me as my family’s livelihood depends entirely on this shop,” he added.
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Bhat further revealed that he had invested all his savings, including his wife’s gold, into setting up the business, making the loss even more painful.
Police have registered a case to ascertain the cause of the fire. Meanwhile, locals have urged the government to provide financial assistance to the affected shopkeeper. [KNT]
