A large fire broke out in the main market area of the Sonamarg tourist destination on Saturday evening, causing significant damage.
Multiple fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene, where the blaze damaged over two dozen shops. Initial reports suggest the fire originated from a hotel within the market area, though a full investigation is yet to confirm the cause.
Firefighters from nearby locations including Sonamarg, Gund village, and Kangan rushed to the site in an effort to contain the flames. However, due to the severity of the fire, additional fire tenders from Ganderbal and Srinagar were called in.
The blaze reportedly began on the second floor and quickly spread to the ground level. On the first floor, 20 commercial establishments were severely impacted, while around a dozen shops on the ground floor suffered partial damage.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his condolences to those affected and assured full government support. “I am deeply saddened by the devastating fire in Sonamarg’s market. My office is in constant communication with the local authorities to ensure that all necessary assistance reaches those affected. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and businesses impacted by this incident. We stand with you and will provide all possible support in your recovery,” he said.
