25 shops, 8 houses gutted in Doda inferno

 
Jammu/ April, 20: At least 25 shops and eight houses were gutted in a devastating fire in remote area of hilly Doda district.
“Major fire broke out during midnight in residential area of village Bhatyas in tehsil Gandoh,” SP Vinay Kumar, Additional Superintendent of Police, Doda here said. He said around 25 shops and eight houses completely gutted in the fire.
“Short circuit has been ascertained be the reason behind inferno,” he asserted.
The SP added that two fire tenders from Thathri and Gandoh were immediately pressed into service. “No loss of life or injury was reported in the incident,” he maintained. A case has been registered and investigation started, he added. District Development Commissioner Doda, Bhupinder Kumar took stock of the damage caused by the tragic fire incident at Bhatyas Gandoh, here Thursday.
Deputy Commissioner announced Rs 10 thousand each to the affected families besides asked the forest department to provide sleepers for construction of houses and shops. He further announced relief out of SDRF and Red Cross fund. DDC constituted a SIT to investigate the cause of incident and submit a report to the administration thereof. Later, SSP assured the public of additional police patrolling at night to avert any such incidence in future.
Meanwhile Governor N N Vohra has advised restoration work to commence forthwith for restoration of the damaged properties and provision of relief.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has also expressed grief over the fire incident at Bhatyas Bhalessa in Doda district in which more than 40 residential and commercial establishments were gutted.The Chief Minister has directed the district administration Doda to extend all possible help to the fire victims by way of providing temporary shelters and items of daily use.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh has expressed grief over the fire incident at Bhatiat in Doda district in which several residential and commercial establishments were gutted. The Deputy Chief Minister directed the district administration Doda to extend all possible support to the fire victims by providing temporary shelters and items of daily usage. He also spoke to DC telephonically and asked him to ensure that the victims do not face any inconvenience vis -a- vis rehabilitation and adequate compensation. Earlier, MLA Bhaderwah Daleep Singh called on Deputy Chief Minister and apprised him about the fire incident and demanded relief for the fire victims.
Minister for Revenue, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Abdul Rehman Veeri Thursday expressed grief over the fire incident at Bhalessa Doda in which 40 shops, a residential structure, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) camp office were gutted .Expressing sympathy with the affected people, the Minister directed the District Administration to reach out to the victims and extend all possible help to them.The Minister also asked the District Administration to submit report on the incident to his office for further action.