Srinagar, May 21 -- The fire, which broke out around midnight, caused widespread panic in the densely packed neighbourhood. Residents described a scene of chaos as flames quickly engulfed multiple structures.

Nazir Ahmad, the bride-to-be's uncle, recounted the harrowing moments. "We were coming out of the masjid when we heard people screaming. In no time, the fire had spread to several houses. The area is so congested that we couldn't even get close to help contain it," he said, his voice trembling.

The family had been preparing for a wedding scheduled for August. "We had collected everything for her marriage-clothes, jewellery, household items. Everything is gone. We had so many dreams for her, and all of them were consumed by the fire...