Srinagar: At least nine shops were gutted due to the devastating fire in north Kashmir’s Handwara area.

According to the officials, the fire broke out in the pre-dawn hours in the main market of Handwara and consumed ten shops in the meanwhile.

The locals said it were locals and firemen who controlled the fire and stopped it from spreading to other shops nd business establishment..

The cause of the fire was yet to be asecrtained.

Police have taken the cognizance of the case and further investigations are going on.