4 residential buildings, 3 shops damaged in Kupwara fire

Kupwara, Oct 23: A blaze at Batpora Hyhama area in north Kashmir's Kupwara district caused heavy damage to property with the result several families were left homeless.

Locals told Greater Kashmir that the fire broke out around midnight in a residential house and soon engulfed other nearby structures thereby reducing ten structures, including four residential houses, three cowsheds and three shops to ashes.

Soon after this incident fire tenders from several nearby stations rushed towards the spot and engaged in rescue operation. "Fire service officials, locals and soldiers from 41 RR tried hard to bring fire under control and after several hours of hectic efforts the raging flames could be controlled but by the time several structures were reduced to ashes," said a local.

The cause of fire was being ascertained and prima facie it seemed that short circuit could be the reason of fire. No injury or loss of life was reported.

The residents expressed great concern about non-availability of a fire station in the area. They said that due to non availability of a fire station here, they had to face the brunt in the past also. They said that earlier in similar kind of fire incidents, several structures have been damaged but authorities still did not approve a fire ree station for their area. They demanded a fire station for their area to thwart from future possible damages.

Later Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kupwara Mir Fayaz visited the fire victims and assured them of every possible support.