Srinagar, June 19 -- Srinagar- A major fire broke out during the predawn hours of Friday at Markazi Darul Uloom Syed Ali in the Pakharpora area of Central Kashmir's Budgam district, causing extensive damage to the religious seminary and reducing its top floor to ashes.

Local sources said that the blaze erupted at around 3:00 a.m. and rapidly engulfed the institution's upper storey before firefighters and local residents could bring the situation under control.

The conflagration caused substantial damage to the seminary, destroying furniture, educational material, and other valuable assets. Preliminary estimates suggest that losses may run into several lakhs of rupees.

The institution caters to around 20 students pursuing religious educ...