JAMMU, October 26, 2026 : A devastating fire swept through Shiv Market, opposite Jammu Railway Station, destroying approximately 30–35 shops and causing losses estimated to run into crores of rupees. The blaze has left numerous shopkeepers facing a heartbreaking financial crisis just ahead of the festive season.
Thankfully, no casualties were reported, but the destruction of shops, goods and livelihoods has dealt a severe blow to the affected traders.
🔥 Six-and-a-Half-Hour Operation to Control the Blaze
According to reports, the fire broke out between 10:30 pm and 10:45 pm on Sunday night, with a short circuit suspected as the possible cause. The flames spread rapidly through the congested market, engulfing multiple commercial establishments.
Around 11 fire tenders were deployed to tackle the blaze. After an extensive firefighting operation lasting nearly six-and-a-half hours, the fire was brought completely under control at approximately 5 am on Monday.
The affected establishments included:
- 🍽️ Two eateries
- 👕 Garment shops
- 🛏️ Blanket outlets
- 🌰 Dry fruit stores
- 🏪 Other commercial establishments
The exact financial loss is still being assessed. Several traders reportedly lost their entire stock, leaving them with damaged premises, mounting financial worries and uncertainty about how to restart their businesses.
⚠️ Shopkeepers Allege Delay in Fire Response
While the suspected cause of the fire remains under investigation, some affected shopkeepers have raised serious concerns about the response time of the Fire and Emergency Services Department.
Vikas Gupta, one of the affected traders, alleged that the department was informed within five minutes of the short circuit being noticed, but fire tenders were dispatched nearly an hour later.
He claimed that an earlier response might have prevented some of the extensive damage.
Another shopkeeper, whose dry fruit outlet was gutted, alleged that he personally rushed to the Fire and Emergency Services office after noticing the fire. He claimed that he was occupied with providing incident details rather than seeing an immediate deployment of fire tenders.
These allegations have been made by affected traders; the response timeline and circumstances require official verification. The incident has nevertheless raised urgent questions about emergency preparedness and firefighting access in crowded commercial areas.
🤝 Administration Begins Damage Assessment
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Vikas Kundal said the cause of the fire was being ascertained and that around 30 shops had suffered damage.
He described firefighting in the congested market as challenging and appreciated the efforts of the district administration, Fire and Emergency Services Department, Police, civil society, and staff and management of major hotels in the vicinity.
The Deputy Commissioner and the concerned Tehsildar are assessing the damage and preparing a list of affected traders to facilitate compensation under the applicable rules.
For the shopkeepers, the assessment and compensation process will be crucial in determining how quickly they can recover from the disaster.
BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa Offers Up to ₹50 Lakh
BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa visited the affected market during the night as firefighting operations continued. He returned on Monday alongside Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Arun Gupta to bring the traders’ losses to the attention of senior officials.
They met Divisional Commissioner Vikas Kundal, Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa and Additional Deputy Commissioner Ansuya Jamwal to discuss the damage and possible assistance.
Randhawa said local residents and shopkeepers had worked together throughout the night to minimise the destruction. He also stated that senior district officials remained at the site until around 3 am to assess individual losses and explore ways to help traders rebuild.
In a significant offer, Randhawa said he was willing to contribute up to ₹50 lakh from his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) towards rebuilding the market, subject to the necessary permission to use the fund for this purpose.
The offer could provide a measure of relief if the proposed use of funds is approved.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Expresses Grief
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep anguish over the devastating fire and directed the administration to extend all possible assistance to the affected shopkeepers.
He also called for necessary measures to support the traders in the aftermath of the incident.
The administration’s ongoing damage assessment is expected to help establish the scale of losses and identify eligible beneficiaries for assistance under applicable rules.
💔 A Festive Season Turned Into a Fight for Survival
For many small business owners, a shop represents years of hard work, family savings and the livelihood of an entire household. Losing it overnight can mean losing not just merchandise, but the foundation of a family’s financial security.
As investigations continue, affected traders are seeking urgent government assistance, a fair assessment of their losses and practical support to rebuild their businesses.
The incident also highlights the importance of reliable emergency response systems, accessible firefighting routes and effective fire-safety measures in densely packed markets.
The immediate priority is clear: support the affected families, establish the cause of the fire, examine the response-time allegations fairly, and help the traders get back on their feet.
