DANGIWACHA, Oct. 5 -- A fire broke out at Government Middle School Dangiwacha and the adjoining Zonal Education Office (ZEO) in north Kashmir's Dangiwacha area on Sunday, damaging the buildings and destroying official records, officials said.

According to officials, the blaze originated in the school building and rapidly spread to the nearby ZEO office, prompting an emergency response from the Fire and Emergency Services Department, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army personnel and local residents.

A joint firefighting operation involving personnel of 32 Rashtriya Rifles, police, firefighters and volunteers managed to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading further.

Officials said the fire caused significant damage to ed...