Srinagar, Feb 18, KNT: At least five barracks of the Sashastra Seema Bal were completely gutted in a midnight fire incident at the Tatoo Ground camp in Batamaloo area of Srinagar city, officials said.
The fire broke out in the camp of the 110 Battalion of SSB during the early hours of Thursday, creating panic among personnel stationed at the facility.
Officials said flames were first noticed emanating from one of the barracks at around 3 am, after which the fire rapidly spread to adjoining structures within the camp.
Fire and emergency services personnel rushed to the spot and launched an operation to control the blaze, eventually bringing the flames under control after a firefighting operation.
The fire caused extensive damage to the barracks, completely destroying the belongings of the SSB personnel stationed there.
Officials said arms and ammunition kept inside the barracks were also damaged in the blaze.
Authorities have started an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire incident.
Sashastra Seema Bal is a border guarding force under the Union Government and several of its units are deployed in the Kashmir Valley for security duties. [KNT]
