Devastating Blaze in Jammu: Massive Fire Engulfs Shiv Market Near Railway Station

JAMMU, India — A massive fire swept through Shiv Market, a major commercial hub located directly opposite the Jammu Tawi Railway Station, gutting between 35 and 40 shops and causing extensive property damage.

The inferno broke out late Sunday night and blazed for nearly five hours before emergency crews managed to bring it under control early Monday morning. Officials confirmed that no casualties or injuries were reported.

The fire began around 10:30 PM on Sunday, October 25. Preliminary investigations suggest that a short circuit in one of the shops triggered the initial spark. High winds and the proximity of adjoining businesses allowed the flames to rapidly engulf surrounding structures, which primarily housed dhabas, eateries, and shops selling dry fruits, blankets, and local food supplies.

Desperate shopkeepers were seen attempting to retrieve inventory and merchandise before the flames consumed their establishments.

Fire and Emergency Services teams dispatched units from seven fire stations across the district to combat the blaze. However, the physical layout of the market posed severe operational hurdles.

Firefighting operations faced severe operational hurdles due to the market's layout. Fire crews struggled with narrow approach paths, preventing fire engines from directly accessing the front of the burning market stretch. As a result, emergency personnel—assisted by local police officers and civil society volunteers—had to tactically re-route by manually dragging hoses and breaching the area from the rear of the market to isolate and tackle the flames. Teams fought the fire continuously overnight until it was finally controlled around 3:15 AM on Monday.

The destruction has dealt a severe financial blow to local traders, leaving dozens of shopkeepers without their primary livelihoods. BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa, alongside Jammu police officials, inspected the scene overnight to oversee response efforts. Local merchant representatives have called on the Jammu and Kashmir administration to assess the total financial losses and provide immediate compensation to affected business owners.

Authorities have launched a formal inquiry to confirm the precise cause of the short circuit and determine the full structural damage.