Fire in Dudu area of Udhampur, 3 houses gutted, temple damaged

14 people were rescued when a fire broke out in Dudu mountainous belt of the district late tonight, in which three houses were gutted and a temple was damaged.
14 people were rescued when fire broke out in village Upper Jakhed in Tehsil Latti of Dudu Sub-Division in which three housed were gutted and temple of Sheetla Mata was damaged, an official spokesman said.
A team led by Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Dudu Sudershan Kumar and Tehsildar Latti Sushil Kumar along with Station House Officer (SHO) has reached spot, he said, adding that no loss of life was reported.
Fourteen members of three families were evacuated safely when fire broke out post-midnight, he said, adding that houses of Ram Chand, Suram Chand and Yog Raj were completely damaged in the fire.

Sheetla Mata temple located in the hamlet was also damaged.
The inhabitants sustained minor injuries and timely evacuation saved the lives, he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur on behalf of State Government provided a relief of Rs 1 lakh each to three families. Apart from it, an assistance of Rs 10,000 each was provided to the affected families from District Red Cross Society.
The District Administration also rushed a rehabilitation team along with 10 tents and 20 blankets apart from essential utilities, the official said.
Naib Tehsildar Dudu was at the spot to coordinate relief and rehabilitation work.
DC Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has also formed a team to assess damaged to the temple and propose steps for its immediate restoration and repair work.