Around 50 temporary shops were gutted at a local market outside Gurudwara complex in Sri Anandpur Sahib in the wee hours of Friday. However, there has been no report of any lives being lost.
The fire broke out in the market near Gurdwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in which goods worth crores of rupees is being reportedly said to be lost.
The cause of fire is yet to be ascertained. An inquiry into the incident has been ordered by the local administration.
Anandpur Sahib Deputy Commissioner Sumeet Jarangal, said that the exact cause and extent of the loss could only be ascertained after the inquiry, which will be conducted by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Kanu Garg.
The shops, which were mostly erected in temporary shelters were on the land auctioned by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Sri Anandpur Sahib MP Manish Tewari has sought adequate compensation and rehabilitation for the fire victims whose shops and business establishments were gutted in a blaze.
Expressing shock over the massive loss due to the fire, he assured the victims that he will do everything possible to get them adequate compensation and proper rehabilitation so that their livelihood does not suffer.
Tewari, however, expressed relief that no loss of life was caused by an otherwise devastating fire that left about 50 shops gutted.
He also spoke to the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and urged him to announce immediate compensation for the victims.
He said that the Chief Minister had assured him that necessary instructions were being passed on to the local administration to assess the exact quantum of loss so that the compensation will be paid to the victims.
The MP also expressed concern over the non-availability of fire tenders in the holy town of Anandpur Sahib.
"I am shocked to learn that there is no local fire brigade in this city which hosts tens of thousands of people every day, besides being host to large religious gatherings, from time to time," he said.