Vaishno Devi Shrine: Massive Fire At Cash Counter, No Injuries Reported

A major fire broke out on June 8 evening at a building situated inside the Mata Vaishno Devi temple complex in Katra in Jammu & Kashmir's Reasi district. The fire - believed to be the result of an electrical short circuit - broke out around 4.15 pm inside a cash counting room in Kalika Bhavan, which is adjacent to the sanctum sanctorum. It burned for about 45 minutes before being brought under control at around 5 pm. No deaths have been reported. The building suffered significant damage; visuals after the fire was put out showed it had been completely burned down. Officials say some cash and documents were destroyed, reported NDTV. Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh said he had spoken to the Reasi district collector and been told the situation was being resolved.