Srinagar:Three residential houses were gutted in a fire that broke out in the Ganpatyar area of Habbakadal, falling under the jurisdiction of Kralkhud Police Station. The blaze triggered panic in the densely populated locality as firefighters battled the flames for hours to bring the situation under control.
Officials from the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Department said that soon after receiving the distress call, fire tenders from Gowkadal, Habbakadal, and Headquarters Command Srinagar were immediately dispatched to the spot. Reinforcement from the Babademb Fire Station was also rushed in to assist in controlling the rapidly spreading blaze.
Eyewitnesses said thick smoke and flames engulfed the residential structures in no time, forcing locals to rush out of their homes in fear. The narrow lanes and congested layout of the area made the firefighting operation challenging, though personnel managed to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby houses.
“Three residential houses were gutted despite prompt response from our teams. The cause of the fire is being ascertained,” an official from the F&ES Department told the news agency Kashmir News Trust. He added that firefighters worked tirelessly for several hours, using multiple fire tenders and water sources to douse the flames.
Locals, while appreciating the swift arrival of the fire units, expressed concern over the lack of immediate access for fire trucks in the old city’s congested areas, urging authorities to develop alternative response routes for such emergencies.
No casualties were reported in the incident, though the affected families have reportedly suffered heavy property losses. Police have taken cognizance of the matter and initiated an investigation into the cause of the fire. [KNT]
