Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Dec 3: A destructive fire swept through Nowpora, Srinagar, on Wednesday afternoon, leaving five homes damaged and families grappling with sudden loss.
Officials said the fire began in the attic of one house and quickly spread to neighboring homes, sending thick smoke across the area. The fire call was received at 1:46 PM.
“By the time we arrived, three houses were already ablaze. We managed to contain the fire, but five houses were damaged and several others suffered indirect damage due to water,” an official from Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) said.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and despair. “The fire was so thick that you could barely move. People ran from house to house, trying to save whatever they could,” said Bilal Ahmad, a resident.
Among the worst affected is a family of four orphan sisters living with their mother. Their home, including all dowry belongings for their sister’s upcoming wedding, was completely destroyed. “Everything… gone. All our hopes, our memories, our wedding preparations… it’s all ashes,” the mother said, tears streaming down her face.
Another resident expressed the financial burden layered on top of the disaster. “We had loans and were barely managing. Now, everything is destroyed. How do we even start again?” he said.
Meanwhile, local volunteers and media personnel were on rooftops documenting the scene as firefighters battled the blaze. Some residents managed to save a few belongings, but for many, the damage was total.
As the smoke cleared, the human cost of the fire was painfully clear. Families were left homeless in the biting winter, their belongings lost forever.
Locals are now calling for urgent relief and support from the administration to help affected families recover. “This is not just about property; it’s about our lives, our memories,” said one of the affected women, her voice breaking. (KNO)
