Jammu, 16 May (H.S.): A massive fire broke out in the Akhnoor area of Jammu district early Saturday morning, gutting three shops and causing extensive damage to property and goods worth lakhs of rupees, officials and locals said.

The blaze reportedly engulfed two hardware stores and one sweet shop, reducing the establishments and the stocked material inside to ashes within a short span of time.

Eyewitnesses said panic spread across the locality as flames rapidly intensified and thick smoke engulfed the market area.

Locals and shopkeepers rushed to the spot soon after the fire broke out and attempted to contain the flames before firefighting teams arrived.

Officials said the fire caused heavy damage to commercial goods, furniture, equipment, and stored material inside the affected shops.

Fire and Emergency Services personnel later launched an operation to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.

No loss of life or injuries were immediately reported in the incident.

The exact cause of the fire was not immediately known, while authorities were assessing the extent of the damage.

Police have taken cognizance of the incident and registered a formal case in this regard.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar