SRINAGAR: A major fire incident at Barzulla’s Bulbul Bagh area in Srinagar was brought under control after an intensive firefighting operation lasting nearly 30 hours, officials of the Fire and Emergency Services said on Tuesday, marking one of the most prolonged fire responses the city has witnessed in recent times.
According to officials, the fire broke out on Monday evening, prompting the immediate mobilisation of Fire and Emergency Services teams. The first response unit, they said, reached the spot within minutes and began containment efforts to prevent the blaze from spreading further.
The fire engulfed a U-shaped, double-storeyed showroom-cum-godown built with a pucca wooden structure and GCI sheets. Several commercial establishments were operating from the premises, including New Express Jammu, Prevegia Logistics, and Chandigarh-based Chamba Manali Transport Company. Officials said the structure was being used as a storage facility for a wide range of materials, including cosmetics, paint thinner, hardware goods, kiryana items, medicines, kitchenware, blankets, tyres, carry bags and other miscellaneous items, most of which were destroyed in the blaze.
In addition to the commercial structure, 37 nearby residential sheds were also affected. These sheds, constructed with wooden frames, tarpaulin and GCI sheets, were gutted in the fire, resulting in extensive damage to household goods and scrap material stored inside, officials said.
They added that the main U-shaped structure suffered extensive damage, with complete loss of flooring and furnishing items such as carpets, curtains and other fittings. The wooden structure housing the transport company was partially damaged, while large quantities of stored goods, including medicines, hardware material, kiryana items, blankets and carry bags, were destroyed. One motorcycle bearing registration number JK05F-9233 was also damaged in the incident.
The prolonged firefighting operation was led by Deputy Director Fire and Emergency Services Dr Mir Aqib Hussain and Mobilising Officer Aijaz Ahmad Shah, under the direct supervision of ADGP Fire and Emergency Services Alok Kumar. Officials said that during the operation, a fire tender from Fire Station Rawalpora sustained damage after its front windshield was broken by locals present at the scene.
The cause of the fire is being investigated. Officials said no loss of life was reported in the incident.
