JAMMU, May 16 -- A massive fire broke out in the Akhnoor area of Jammu district early Saturday morning, gutting three shops and causing extensive damage to property and goods worth lakhs of rupees, officials and locals said.

The blaze reportedly engulfed two hardware stores and one sweet shop, reducing the establishments and the stocked material inside to ashes within a short span of time.

Eyewitnesses said panic spread across the locality as flames rapidly intensified and thick smoke engulfed the market area.

Locals and shopkeepers rushed to the spot soon after the fire broke out and attempted to contain the flames before firefighting teams arrived.

Officials said the fire caused heavy damage to commercial goods, furniture, equipment...