Srinagar: Two separate fire incidents reported from Srinagar and south Kashmir’s Pulwama district in the predawn hours of Wednesday caused damage to property, officials said.
In Srinagar, a fire broke out at Padshahi Bagh in the early hours, engulfing scrap dealer’s shops and reducing them to ashes. Officials from Fire and Emergency Services said the blaze was reported shortly before dawn, triggering an immediate response from firefighting units stationed nearby.
Several fire tenders were pressed into service to control the flames, which had spread rapidly due to the presence of highly inflammable scrap material. After sustained efforts, the fire was brought under control, preventing it from spreading to adjoining commercial establishments and nearby residential structures.
In a separate incident, a residential house was gutted in a predawn blaze at Pustana village in Tral area of Pulwama district. Officials said the fire erupted during the early morning hours, causing panic among inhabitants of the village.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the spot and managed to douse the flames after a prolonged operation. The house suffered extensive damage, rendering it uninhabitable. However, timely intervention ensured that the fire did not spread to nearby houses in the densely built locality.
Police have taken cognizance of both incidents, and further investigations are underway to ascertain the reasons behind the fires. [KNT]
