70 families homeless after blaze ravages Warwan village

Warwan, Oct 15: Abdul Gani Wani, a 64-year-old farmer, sifted through the ashes of what was once his home, trying to salvage whatever he could.

All that remained were half-burnt utensils and the charred walls of his two-storey house, now reduced to rubble by a devastating fire that swept through Mulwarwan village in Warwan Valley on Monday.

Wani’s house was one of 70 houses destroyed in the blaze, leaving over 70 families homeless.

Thick smoke continued to pour from the ruins, filling the air and making it difficult for survivors to breathe.

“I put everything into building this house,” Wani said, his voice cracking with emotion. “And in no time, it was reduced to ashes.”

He recounted how he and his family barely escaped, fleeing their home as the fire spread from neighbouring houses.

In the aftermath, his children were seen sorting through the remains, gathering what little was left of their books and notebooks from the debris.

The ceiling, rooftop, windows, and doors had been completely gutted, leaving only the blackened walls behind.

Wani, along with his wife, now faces the uphill task of caring for their six children – four daughters and two sons - without a home.

His son, a 12th-grade student, lamented the loss of his books, essential for his studies.

But Wani’s family is not alone in their suffering.

Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh, 45, a labourer, also lost everything in the fire.

His wife, Shahmala Banoo, was inconsolable as she recounted the harrowing moments when the flames engulfed their home.

“We built this house brick by brick with our hard-earned money. Now, where will we go?” she asked, her voice shaking. “We couldn’t save anything—not even our clothes or bedding. The fire took it all in moments.”

Their three children, in grades 12th, 9th, and 8th, lost everything as well, from schoolbooks to uniforms and clothing.

Muhammad Zafar Wani, 60, a father of eight – seven daughters and a son - also saw his home destroyed.

A farmer who worked tirelessly to provide for his family and marry off two of his daughters, Zafar is heartbroken.

“I worked so hard to build this house. I had dreams for my children’s future, for their education. Now, all of it is gone,” he said, his hopes dashed by the disaster.

In this time of despair, the people of Warwan have come together to support their neighbours.

Families from nearby villages have opened their homes to those displaced by the fire, offering shelter and sharing what little they have.

“We may be poor, but we stand together in this time of grief,” said Muzafar Ahmad, a local villager. “We will provide shelter and food for the affected families until they can rebuild their lives.”

The road to recovery will be long for these families, but the strength of their community offers a glimmer of hope amidst the ashes.