Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Dec 8: Despite a decline in fire incidents across Srinagar this year, the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Department has cautioned residents to remain vigilant during the winter months, when the use of heating and cooking gadgets significantly raises fire risks.
Aqib Hussain Mir, Assistant Director F&ES, Kashmir, said that while awareness campaigns have helped reduce the overall number of incidents, winter remains a “critical period” for fire hazards.
“Last year, Srinagar recorded around 720 fire incidents, whereas this year the number stands at 468 so far. On average, monthly cases have dropped from 60 to 42, which is a positive trend,” Dr Mir said. “This reduction is mainly due to awareness campaigns launched under the direction of our Director.”
He said that despite the decline, winter still witnesses a spike in fires compared to summer due to the excessive use of electrical and LPG-based heating gadgets.
“People should ensure that all gadgets, whether electrical heaters, LPG bukharis, or geysers, are ISI-marked and tested before use. Equipment stored for months must be checked and serviced before operating,” he said, adding that substandard or overloaded devices often lead to short circuits and fires.
According to Mir, two major causes dominate Kashmir’s fire incidents: electrical short circuits and LPG leaks. “We have seen that most cases stem from these two sources. Faulty wiring, overloading of sockets, or the use of non-standard circuit breakers are common triggers. On the LPG front, leaks inside confined rooms can turn fatal,” he said.
The Assistant Director advised residents using LPG-based heating systems to always maintain proper ventilation, as the combustion process consumes oxygen and can lead to suffocation or explosions if gas accumulates indoors.
Mir also stressed the importance of fire preparedness at the household level. “People should keep a dry chemical powder-type fire extinguisher at home, ideally 5 or 6 kg, with proper BIS certification. A small extinguisher, costing between 3,000 and 10,000 rupees, can prevent a minor spark from turning into a major blaze,” he said.
He said the concept of the “golden hour” in firefighting – the crucial initial moments when timely action can save both life and property. “Our response time depends on how quickly the call is made and whether access routes are clear. Wrong parking often delays our movement. Cooperation from the public can drastically improve outcomes,” he added.
Addressing allegations of delayed response by the department, Dr Mir clarified that “there is no intentional delay from Fire and Emergency Services”. “Our teams are highly trained and respond promptly. Delays mostly happen due to access blockages or congestion on roads,” he said.
He urged citizens to adopt fire-safe practices such as keeping combustible materials away from living areas, turning off heating gadgets before sleeping or leaving home, and ensuring periodic electrical audits of homes. “If people follow these simple safety guidelines and cooperate with fire services, the number of incidents and the loss of life and property can be significantly minimised,” Mir said.
