A major blaze swept through the commercial center of Azad Kashmir's Leepa Valley, destroying dozens of shops, two mosques, and a seminary. No casualties have been reported.
A massive fire swept through the main commercial center of Capa Gali Bazaar in the Leepa Valley on Sunday, reducing more than 50 shops and several religious structures to ashes, local authorities and residents said.
The blaze broke out in a single shop before spreading rapidly through the congested market. Within hours, the flames engulfed nearby commercial properties, two grand mosques, a seminary, and a petrol retail shop.
Emergency responders, including personnel from the Pakistan Army, Rescue 1122, and local police, rushed to the scene to assist residents in containment and relief operations. Volunteers from the surrounding community also joined firefighting efforts, working under difficult conditions to prevent the fire from spreading further.
While authorities confirmed that no casualties or injuries have been reported so far, the destruction is extensive. Preliminary estimates indicate that roughly 60 percent of the historic bazaar has been destroyed.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown. Relevant officials have launched an investigation to determine the origin of the blaze.
Meanwhile, residents and traders expressed grief and shock over the sudden destruction of the commercial hub. Public frustration also emerged over what locals described as delays in the arrival of fire brigade teams to the remote valley.
Investigations into the incident and assessments of the total financial losses are currently underway.