Srinagar: A fire broke out in the Akhnoor area of Jammu district in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir early Saturday morning, gutting three shops and causing extensive damage to property and goods worth several lakh rupees.

According to Global Mirror, the blaze engulfed two hardware stores and one sweet shop, reducing the establishments and their contents to ashes within a short span of time.

Eyewitnesses said panic spread in the locality as the flames rapidly intensified, with thick smoke engulfing the market area.