SRINAGAR: A major fire at Mir Sales Corporation in Srinagar’s Karan Nagar area damaged multiple commercial and residential-cum-commercial structures, while a nearby six-storey Medicare Hospital building sustained indirect damage from heat, smoke and water, according to the final assessment by Fire and Emergency Services.
The blaze was brought under control at around 5:30 am on Sunday after an overnight firefighting operation that began shortly after the fire service received a call at 11:18 pm on Saturday, October 24. Fire service personnel turned out at 11:19 pm, the report said.
The fire broke out at Mir Sales Corporation in Kaka Sarai, Karan Nagar, near Medicare Hospital. The affected properties included two commercial structures, each two to three storeys high, two three-storey residential-cum-commercial buildings and an iron or galvanised corrugated iron (GCI) sheet shed.
One side of the nearby hospital building sustained indirect damage due to heat, smoke and water, the assessment stated.
Twelve fire stations from Srinagar, Ganderbal and Pampore took part in the operation, deploying around 20 vehicles and specialised equipment, including water tenders, water bowsers, quick response vehicles, a Bronto skylift, Advanced Rescue Teams, Emergency Response Teams and foam tenders.
Patients at Medicare Hospital were safely evacuated by Fire and Emergency Services personnel with assistance from Srinagar Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other agencies.
Director of Fire and Emergency Services Alok Kumar, IPS, praised the officers and personnel involved, commending their coordinated response, sustained firefighting efforts and the timely evacuation of patients during the prolonged operation.
Cooling operations continued after the fire was brought under control because of the large quantity of cotton and other combustible material stored inside the building.
