Srinagar, Mar 23, KNT: In a devastating incident that unfolded early Saturday morning, at least 20 residential structures were completely gutted and two others partially damaged in a massive fire that broke out in Tujgari Mohalla, Sheikh Colony, falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Nowhatta in Srinagar.
According to officials, the fire originated from the residence of Abdul Rahim Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohammad, before quickly spreading to adjoining houses in the densely packed locality. Within minutes, the flames engulfed a cluster of huts and homes, reducing them to charred remains.
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While no loss of life was reported, the damage to property was extensive. The fast-moving inferno left dozens of families homeless and destroyed nearly all their belongings.
Eyewitnesses said local residents were the first to respond. Men, women, and even children formed human chains, carrying water in buckets and utensils in a desperate attempt to contain the blaze before it could spread further. However, their efforts proved futile against the intensity of the fire.
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Several residents expressed frustration at what they called the delayed and inadequate response from the Fire and Emergency Services. “When the fire tenders finally arrived, some of them were reportedly empty,” said Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh, a local resident. “We have pleaded with authorities to install basic firefighting infrastructure like water motors, but our appeals have fallen on deaf ears.”
By the time fire tenders from different parts of the city reached the scene — more than 13 vehicles in total — the flames had already consumed most of the affected houses. Though officials stated that the exact cause of the fire is under investigation, many residents suspect an electrical short circuit as the trigger.
Among the victims was Mehraj-u-Din, whose house was reduced to ashes. Visibly distraught, he said, “I built this house with years of hard work. Now it’s gone. I’m the only breadwinner for my parents, my wife, and three children. We have nowhere to go.”
Later in the day, District Development Commissioner Srinagar, Farooq Ahmed Shah, accompanied by police and civil officials, visited the affected area to assess the damage. As a token of immediate relief, the administration distributed cheques of Rs 2,000 to each of the affected families.
The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of congested neighborhoods in Srinagar to fire disasters, and the urgent need for better firefighting infrastructure and rapid response mechanisms in such densely populated zones. [KNT]
