Jammu, Nov. 10 -- Close on the heels of a major fire at Jammu's Warehouse Nehru Market located near Bikram Chowk on Diwali night that gutted nearly 10 shops, chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday directed the district administration to provide immediate relief and assistance to the affected shopkeepers.

The Sunday night blaze gutted around 10 shops in one of Jammu's oldest commercial hubs, known for its wholesale trade in foodgrains, edible oils, cotton, brooms, and other essential commodities. No one was injured.

Ware House police post incharge PSI Ashutosh Singh said, "The exact cause of the fire remains a subject of investigation but it appears that a stray fire cracker started it." "Eight shops comprising provisional stores, cotton...