New Delhi: 13 shops were gutted in a massive fire in Poonch district. Jammu and Kashmir Early Sunday, officials said.According to PTI report, the fire broke out around 5 am in the Bufliaz Central Market along Mughal Road and quickly spread to the mostly wooden and tin-roofed shops.Before teams from the Fire and Emergency Services Department reached the spot, local residents began efforts to douse the fire with the assistance of Army and CRPF personnel. Videos circulated on social media showed massive flames in the market, which reportedly damaged property worth crores.A Fire and Emergency Services Department official said the fire was brought under control within 30 minutes of the firefighting operation, preventing further damage. There is no information about any casualty.The official said preliminary investigation suggests that the fire broke out due to a short circuit in a shop and then spread to nearby buildings.The incident has sparked anger among local residents and traders, who have accused the civic administration of failing to respond promptly.A fire victim told PTI, “The absence of a fire station in the area turned it into a major tragedy. A fire engine from Surankot reached the spot more than an hour after the fire broke out. We are grateful to the Army and CRPF personnel for their prompt response, which helped save at least four shops from the blaze. Sadly, no representative of the civil administration was at the spot to assess the damage or offer assistance. Gone.”Affected traders and residents alleged that the delay in fire-fighting efforts led to the flames spreading rapidly, causing extensive damage to shops and property.He demanded setting up a permanent fire station in the area, saying lack of emergency infrastructure resulted in frequent threats to life and property. Locals also urged the administration to conduct a detailed assessment of the damage and provide financial assistance to the affected families and shopkeepers to help them rebuild their livelihoods.