SRINAGAR: A total of 41 fire incidents were reported across Kashmir in the first seven days of 2025, with 9 cases from Srinagar, officials said.
Assistant Director of Fire and Emergency Services Kashmir, Er Aqib Hussain Mir said that Kashmir reported 41 fire incidents in the first week of 2025, with Srinagar alone reporting 9 incidents.
Er Aqib said that the excessive use of heating gadgets is the primary cause. “People do not check the quality of gadgets when purchasing. It’s essential to check the quality and brand, and it is also important to turn off these devices at night while sleeping and ensure quality heating products are used,” he said.
He added that in 2022, the department was directed to increase fire awareness programs. “In 2024, we conducted over 4,000 awareness programs. After the major fire incident in Warwan, Kishtwar, the Director of Fire and Emergency Services held a meeting, and more than 300 isolated villages were identified where fire services cannot reach,” he said.
Speaking about the challenges, he explained: “Our challenges start when we receive a call. We assess how many structures are involved and whether the area is congested. One of the biggest issues is vehicles parked on roads, which hinder access. People’s cooperation is crucial; they should avoid wrong parking.”
He emphasized that wooden structures and paneling make buildings highly vulnerable to massive damage in fire incidents. “I request people to use extinguishers, as the public is the first to control fire until fire services arrive,” he added. (JKNS)
