Local officials in Takhar said a huge blaze ripped through a wood market in Taluqan, the capital city of the province on Friday afternoon.

Eyewitnesses say the reason behind the fire is not clear.

Many shops have been burnt so far in the incident, an eyewitness said.

Takhar officials said they will continue their efforts to block the fire.

A number of Takhar residents launched a campaign on social media, calling on government to send helicopters to the scene in order to block the fire.