Fire at Vaishno Devi shrine complex; cash counter damaged

17:42 June 08

Jammu: A fire broke out in a cash counter building situated near the natural cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi at Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. After receiving the information, officials said that joint teams of Police, Shrine Board, Emergency Services were pressed into service to control the fire. Fire services were able to control the fire in time and stop its further spread in the building.

The CEO of the Shrine Board also confirmed that the fire was brought under control on time without much damage to the building. No one was injured in the fire, which broke out from the structure adjoining the 'Bhawan' (sanctum sanctorum), the officials said. Fire fighting squad of the shrine immediately swung into action after CRPF personnel raised an alarm. According to reports, the fire was caused due to a short circuit in the main supply of electricity at around 4:15pm today. No loss of life or injuries were reported. 

Visuals from the scene showed thick smoke billowing out of the building as firefighters worked to douse the flames. Some cash and records were gutted in the fire, the officials said. 

(With Inputs from agencies)