SRINAGAR: Two persons were killed after a major fire engulfed around 80 temporary shelters in the Durbal area of Bemina in Srinagar during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, officials said.

The victims were identified as Mohammad Noor Alam, 27, son of Abdal Wahab, a native of Delhi who was staying in Durbal, and Al Ameen, 16, son of Mohd Rafi, originally from Delhi and residing in Kupwara. Both were engaged in scrap collection in the area, officials said.

According to the Fire and Emergency Services Department, the blaze was reported at around 12.23 am and rapidly spread through the makeshift structures, most of which were built using tarpaulin and wood. An unoccupied poultry farm and a tipper were also damaged.

Fire tenders from JVC and Rawalpora fire stations were rushed to the scene, while additional teams were deployed from the department’s headquarters at Batamaloo to assist in controlling the blaze.

Officials said the fire had spread across the entire area by the time the department received the information, making the firefighting operation difficult.

After the flames were brought under control, firefighters recovered the two bodies from the debris.

Following completion of the Forensic Science Laboratory proceedings, the bodies were handed over to the local police. The cause of the fire had not been ascertained at the time of filing this report.

The operation was coordinated by Deputy Director Command Srinagar Aqib Hussain Mir, Mobilising Officer Aijaz Ahmad Shah and the Divisional Fire Officers of City and Headquarters.