A fire broke out inside the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly complex on Tuesday, damaging valuable property and destroying several heritage items. The blaze erupted in the lobby area of the old Assembly building in Jammu, where photographs of former Governors and Lieutenant Governors of the erstwhile state were on display.
Official sources told Kashmir News Trust that the fire caused extensive damage to the historic lobby section. Among the items gutted were framed portraits that chronicled the political legacy of J&K’s top constitutional office-bearers. The fire also engulfed several pieces of furniture including sofas, chairs, and decor items, with losses estimated in lakhs of rupees.
"Photographs that were part of the old Assembly's archival collection have been lost. These were visual records of past eras, now turned to ash,” a senior official at the site said on the condition of anonymity.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel responded swiftly and brought the blaze under control after a strenuous effort. Eyewitnesses said smoke and flames leapt from the building as panic briefly gripped security staff and maintenance workers present in the vicinity.
Fortunately, no injuries or loss of life have been reported. Authorities, however, have expressed concern over the structural integrity of the affected lobby and the loss of memorabilia linked to J&K's political history.
While the precise cause of the fire has not been officially confirmed, initial reports point towards an electrical short circuit as the likely trigger. “An internal inquiry is already underway, and a technical team is examining the remnants to confirm the source,” sources added.
Meanwhile, officials from the Estates Department and General Administration Department (GAD) visited the site for an on-ground assessment and to oversee damage control measures. [KNT].
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