SRINAGAR: Fire and Emergency Services Jammu and Kashmir on Friday said it responded to five fire incidents across various districts of the Kashmir division over the past 24 hours, with timely intervention helping to avert major losses.
Officials said two haystacks containing dry grass were completely gutted in a fire at Trikulbal in the Pattan area of Sopore. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and firefighters successfully contained the blaze before it could spread to nearby properties.
In Srinagar, a single-storey CRPF barrack along with adjoining store rooms of the 246 Battalion caught fire near City Mall on M A Road. Firefighters brought the flames under control after sustained efforts, preventing a potentially serious incident in the busy locality.
A double-storey residential house was damaged in a separate fire at Kuchmulla in the Tral area of Pulwama district. Similar incidents were reported from Arampora Wagay Mohalla in Sumbal, Bandipora district, where a kiryana shop was damaged, and from Narbal in Budgam district, where another residential house was affected by fire.
Fire and Emergency Services said personnel displayed professionalism and courage during all operations, working tirelessly to protect life and property and to prevent the spread of flames.
Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Alok Kumar said the department has recorded a decline in fire incidents, attributing it to sustained fire safety awareness programmes, daily mock drills and prompt emergency response. He emphasised that public cooperation and strict adherence to fire safety advisories are essential to further reduce fire incidents across the region.
According to official data, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 6,752 fire calls in 2024, including 42 false alarms. During the year, 2,938 buildings were affected, while property worth approximately Rs 1,699 crore was saved. The department said most fires were caused by LPG leakages, electrical overloads, short circuits and increased use of heating devices.
The Fire and Emergency Services Department has not yet released data for 2025.
