Baramulla, Jan 31, KNT: A shoe shop was completely gutted in a fire that broke out early Friday morning at Chandilora Market in Tangmarg subdivision of Baramulla district, causing losses estimated at over Rs 5 lakh.
According to locals, the fire erupted due to a short circuit triggered by the dangerously close contact between low-tension and high-tension power lines in the market area. They said the issue of hanging and closely passing LT and HT lines has been a long-pending concern, repeatedly brought to the notice of authorities.
The shop belonged to a local youth, Sahil Amin of Chandilora, who said the blaze destroyed his entire stock within minutes. “I had taken a bank loan and started this shop with great hope, but everything has been reduced to ashes. I have suffered a loss of more than five lakh rupees,” he told reporters, appealing to the Baramulla and Tangmarg administration for immediate assistance to help him restart his livelihood.
Locals of the area urged the Power Development Department and district administration to take urgent corrective measures to fix the hazardous power line situation in Chandilora Market to prevent such incidents in future. They also demanded immediate relief and compensation for the affected shopkeeper. [KNT]
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