Srinagar, Nov 20 (IANS): A major fire Thursday damaged the Uri hydro power project in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district.

"A major fire has damaged the Uri 2nd hydel power project," a senior police official told IANS on phone from hydro power project situated in Uri border town.

"Staff of the power project has managed to safely escape. It is very difficult to enter the main power station because the passage to the underground power station leads through a tunnel and rescuers need gas masks to start the rescue and relief operation."

A senior engineer posted at the power project said the fire was caused by a technical snag and the power house has been shut down.

Eye-witnesses said smoke billowed from the power station and fire tenders are unable to enter the area because of the tunnel which filled with smoke.

The 240 megawatts hydro power project built on Jhelum River and owned by NHPC was inaugurated July 4 this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.