MUZAFFARABAD: A fire destroyed over 100 shops and houses as well as some vehicles and a ration depot in Leepa valley, causing loss of millions of rupees, officials and the local people said.

The fire was ignited allegedly by short-circuited electrical wiring in one of the shops at the main bazaar of the valley after 11:30pm on Sunday, Jhelum Valley Deputy Commissioner Abdul Hameed Kiani told Dawn.

Since almost all affected shops and houses were made of deodar and connected with each other, the flames instantly engulfed them.

Leepa valley, which is located around 100 kilometres east of Muzaffarabad, becomes inaccessible to vehicles after the onset of winter as the only road link to the area runs through more than 8,500 high snow-capped Birthwar Galli.

During the winter, the residents trek through the snow-capped route. The shopkeepers and residents stockpile food items and other necessities to last until April when the snow melts.

“This is why the loss runs into millions of rupees,” Mr Kiani said, adding 90 shops, six houses, three jeeps, four motorbikes and a government food depot, where 116 tons of wheat flour in 1,400 bags had been stored, were burnt to ashes. A mosque was also partially damaged, the DC added.

Mr Kiani said relief parties could not be sent to the affected area on Monday due to the inclement weather.

In Muzaffarabad, a meeting, presided over by acting Prime Minister Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, was held to work out measures to extend relief to the affected people.

Pending clement weather, compensation cheques and relief goods would be distributed on Tuesday, he added. He said since telecommunication cables were also burnt, the department concerned was working to restore the system, including mobile phone service.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2017