4 Killed, 12 Injured in Hotel Blaze in Indian-Controlled Kashmir

The fire broke out in a hotel at around 2:00 am (local time) in Jammu city, the winter capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"The fire started early today at Hotel Neelam near the main bus station and resulted in killing of four people and injuring 12 others," a police spokesman at police control room Jammu said. "Of the injured some are stated to be critical and are undergoing treatment at the Jammu Medical College hospital."

Following the blaze the region's Fire and Emergency Services department rushed 10 fire tenders to the spot to douse the flames.

Officials said the fire-fighters holding water canons were struggling hard amid thick smoke bellowing from the hotel to control fire from engulfing adjacent buildings.

The hotel has suffered massive damage in the blaze, Xinhua reported.

Locals said fire started from hotel's store room in the ground floor and engulfed the upper floors immediately. "The ground floor had tyres stored in it and it is believed that fire started from that place," said Nitin, a local resident.

The Fire and Emergency Services department officials say chances of fire in the region increase as buildings usually do not follow the safety standards vis-a-vis fire and store fuel and combustible materials in a haphazard manner.