SRINAGAR: The Fire and Emergency Services, Kupwara, on Friday rejected allegations of delay in responding to a fire incident at Malik Mohalla, terming such claims “false and misleading” and clarifying that the department acted promptly despite severe logistical constraints.
According to officials, a fire call was received by the Fire and Emergency Control Room, Kupwara, at 12:21 pm, following which fire tenders were dispatched within a minute from Fire Stations Kupwara and Payir Pora.
However, fire tenders faced a traffic jam on Hospital Road, Kupwara, causing a brief delay in reaching the site. On arrival, officials said access to the affected house was severely restricted due to extremely narrow lanes, preventing fire tenders from approaching close to the structure.
Despite these challenges, fire personnel laid seven water hoses to establish supply to the affected house. Officials said firefighting efforts were further hampered when some locals allegedly interfered with operations and forcibly pulled fire hoses, disrupting the connection of delivery lines.
A total of four fire tenders were deployed at the site, and sustained firefighting efforts eventually brought the blaze under control, preventing it from spreading to adjoining structures.
The fire damaged a double-storeyed residential house, with the second floor and attic portion suffering extensive damage. No loss of life was reported.
Fire and Emergency Services officials clarified that allegations of deliberate delay were baseless and ignored the operational realities on the ground, including traffic congestion, narrow access routes and public interference.
The department appealed to media outlets and social media users to refrain from circulating unverified information and advised journalists to seek official clarification from the department’s media cell or the State Fire Control Room before publishing reports.
Fire and Emergency Services reiterated its commitment to public safety and urged citizens to cooperate during emergency operations to ensure timely and effective response.
