Srinagar, March 23, KNT: At least 20 residential structures were gutted in a devastating fire that broke out early Saturday morning in Tujgari Mohalla of Sheikh Colony in Srinagar, officials said.
Police said the blaze initially erupted in the house of Abdul Rahim Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohammad, a resident of the locality falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Nowhatta.
The flames quickly spread to adjoining structures, engulfing several houses in the densely populated neighborhood.
Officials said 20 houses were completely destroyed while two others were partially damaged in the incident. However, no loss of life was reported, they added.
Locals said residents were the first to respond to the fire and attempted to control the flames before the arrival of fire services.
“People rushed to the spot and tried to douse the fire by carrying water in buckets and other utensils, but the flames spread rapidly through the area,” a resident said.
Civil authorities and officials from the Fire and Emergency Services Department said the exact cause of the fire was yet to be determined.
However, some residents alleged that the blaze spread because fire tenders did not reach the area in time.
“Fire tenders were empty when they reached the spot, which shows the irresponsible attitude of the department,” alleged Manzoor Ahmed Sheikh, a local resident.
Residents also said that by the time firefighting teams reached the locality, many houses had already been destroyed.
“We have repeatedly requested the government to install water motors in the area to help deal with such incidents, but nothing has been done,” locals said.
Officials said that more than 13 fire tenders from different parts of Srinagar were pressed into service to control the blaze.
“The fire was eventually brought under control after a massive firefighting operation. The cause of the fire is being ascertained,” an official said.
Some residents claimed the fire may have been triggered by a short circuit, although authorities said investigations were ongoing.
Among those affected was Mehraj-u-Din, whose house was completely destroyed in the blaze.
“I had built this house after years of hard work, but now it has been reduced to ashes,” he said.
Mehraj-u-Din said he was the sole breadwinner for his family, which includes his parents, wife and three children, and that the family had been left without shelter.
Meanwhile, District Development Commissioner Srinagar Farooq Ahmed Shah, accompanied by police and civil administration officials, visited the affected area.
Officials said relief assistance of Rs 2,000 each was distributed to affected families as immediate support. [KNT]
