SRINAGAR: Almost 22 houses were destroyed in an overnight fire in a Noorbagh locality in Srinagar. The fire spread so fast that the inmates could barely manage to save themselves. The locality was quite congested that prevented the people and the firefighters from interrupting decisively.
Fires have remained a frequent crisis for Kashmir in its history. However, most of these fires were the outcome of Kangri mess in winters. What is interesting is that fires have become quite common in summers. There were at least three major fires in Srinagar in March alone.
Reports said that the fire started past might in Gata Colony and 22 structures were destroyed within minutes. Some of the people who owned these structures included Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, Ghulam Ahmad Sheikh, Ghulam Rasool Sheikh, Abdul Aziz Sheikh, Bashir Ahmed Sheikh, Sanaullah Sheikh, Parvez Ahmed Sheikh, Sabzar Ahmed Sheikh, Nisar Sheikh, Ali Mohd Sheikh, Mohammad Sultan Sheikh, Ghulam Ahmad Sheikh, Mushtaq Ahmed Sheikh, Misra Banu, Bilal Ahmad Sheikh, Shahid Ahmed, Bashir Ahmed Sheikh and Ghulam Hassan.
The destroyed constructions included ten double-storied, eleven single-storied constructions and a shed. Four civilians were injured while attempting to extinguish fires. These included three civilians Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh, Tahir Ahmad Sheikh and Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh. A firefighter also received injuries and was hospitalized.
Residents said 22 structures were home to 33 families and all of them are now under the open sky.
The families were rendered destitute overnight. Some of the families had plans of getting their wards married after the holy month of Ramzan, which usually marks the beginning of the marriages season. In most of the cases, the families failed in saving anything.
