HAJIN: A massive fire broke out in Teli Mohalla, Hajin on Thursday night reducing at least eight shops and a residential house to ashes. The blaze started around 10:25 pm, prompting an immediate response from firefighters, who worked for hours to contain the flames.
Officials said the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and an investigation has been launched. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and timely intervention prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started inside a shop and quickly engulfed nearby establishments, including a vegetable shop, a beauty parlour, a goldsmith’s shop, and other businesses. A residential house belonging to Mohammad Ramzan Teli, son of Mohammad Subhan Teli, also suffered significant damage. Fire tenders from multiple stations were pressed into service to bring the situation under control.
After several hours of intense firefighting, the flames were finally doused. However, the affected shopkeepers and residents have suffered heavy losses.
Mohammad Ramzan, one of the fire victims, told Kashmir Reader that he lost his lifetime earnings in the blaze. “I never imagined such a disaster would strike me, leaving me helpless,” he said.
With teary eyes, he added, “Like me, many others have lost their life’s savings in this tragedy.”
The affected shopkeepers have urged the district administration to rehabilitate them and provide compensation for their losses.
Meanwhile, MLA Sonawari, along with SDM Sumbal and Tehsildar Hajin, visited the affected families in Hajin and assured them of all possible assistance. He said the government would provide compensation to the victims and directed authorities to submit assessment reports so that immediate relief could be provided.