KATRA: A fire broke out at the helipad terminal in Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine atop the Trikuta hills in Reasi district, in the early hours of Sunday, partially damaging the facility, officials said.
The incident occurred around 3.15 am, apparently due to a short circuit. The fire was brought under control within nearly 30 minutes through the joint efforts of terminal staff, security personnel and Fire and Emergency Services personnel, officials said.
No casualties were reported in the incident. The terminal, an important transit point for pilgrims travelling to the shrine, was closed when the fire broke out.
Officials said several computers installed at the ticket counter and a coffee shop were destroyed in the blaze. The extent of the damage is being assessed, they added.
