Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jun 18: 13 residential houses were reduced to ashes in a massive blaze that broke out late Tuesday night in Pamposh Colony Noorbagh in Srinagar, rendering several families homeless.
According to the Fire and Emergency Department, the distress call was received at around 10:35 PM and the first unit reached the scene within a minute.
They said the fire engulfed two double-storey, five single-storey and six tin-shed structures and was finally brought under control hours after a joint effort by teams from six different fire stations.
An official said that the fire spread rapidly due to the tin-sheet roofing and congested locality. He said while the Fire and Emergency Department managed to contain fire from spreading to nearby homes, the damage was already extensive.
Meanwhile, a local said they watched their home burn to ashes right in front of their eyes. “Years of hard work and memories are gone,” added Ghulam Rasool Dar, a victim.
Eyewitnesses from the area said that the congested layout of the colony made it difficult for fire tenders to reach, which allowed the fire to spread rapidly in the initial minutes.
Moreover, the authorities have been ascertaining the cause of the fire and said a detailed investigation is expected in the coming days.
Additionally, appeals have been made by local residents and community leaders for immediate relief and rehabilitation support for the affected families.
