India, Feb. 9 -- At least 46 structures were destroyed in a devastating fire incident in the tourist resort of Sonamarg in central Kashmir's Ganderbal on Saturday night.

Officials said that the arson destroyed a chain of shops, restaurants and small hotels in Sonamarg. They said that the damage was severe owing to the lack of a fire service station in the region.

The fire started from Hotel Sounsar in Sonamarg's main market and quickly spread to adjacent shops, damaging numerous structures worth crores of rupees. The first responders to the disaster were locals.

"A fire destroyed at least 46 shops, restaurants and small hotels last night. It was a very unfortunate incident," said chief executive officer (CEO) of Sonamarg Development Au...