4 houses gutted at Old Barzullah

Srinagar, Dec 14: A major fire broke out at Old Barzullah area of Srinagar on Sunday morning, gutting at least four houses.

officials from the Fire and Emergency Services Department said they received a fire call at around 9:46 am, following which fire tenders were immediately pressed into service from various stations, including the Fire and Emergency Services headquarters,  Rawalpora and other nearby units.

“As soon as the call was received, multiple fire tenders along with men and machinery were rushed to the spot to douse the flames,” the official said, adding that the operation was particularly challenging due to the narrow lanes and dense habitation in the area.

He said the fire erupted in a congested pocket of Old Barzullah, prompting firefighters to prioritise containment to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjoining structures. “Despite our best efforts, the intensity of the fire was such that four houses were involved in no time,” the official said.

According to officials, two of the affected houses were double-storeyed structures, while the remaining two were three-storeyed. Thick plumes of smoke engulfed the area, creating chaos and fear among locals, many of whom rushed out of their homes and attempted to assist firefighters by clearing access routes and fetching water.

“There was a lot of panic as the flames were visible from a distance. Locals cooperated with us, which helped in controlling the situation,” the official said.

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control after sustained efforts, successfully preventing it from spreading to nearby houses. “Fortunately, no injuries or casualties have been reported in the incident so far, and the cause of the fire is under investigation,” the official added.

He, however, noted that navigation in congested localities such as Downtown Srinagar and other densely populated areas remains a major challenge for emergency responders, mainly due to traffic congestion and encroachments. “These issues delay response time and complicate firefighting operations,” he said.

Officials also reiterated their recent warnings, especially in view of the winter season, urging residents to use heating gadgets and electrical equipment strictly as per standard operating procedures. “There has been a noticeable rise in fire incidents across Srinagar in recent weeks. We are continuously conducting awareness programmes and drills to sensitise people about fire safety,” the official said, appealing for public cooperation to prevent such incidents.