Frequent fire incidents

Fire incidents have been occurring frequently not only in Srinagar city but some other parts of Kashmir also. Residential houses and other structures turn to ashes in such mishaps. Property worth crores of rupees has been destroyed in such incidents. Investigations are going on regarding the cause of the recent fire incidents.

In some incidents the cause is the electric short circuit. The fire mishaps render families homeless and they face lot of hardships in absence of their own house. The families have to shift to their relatives' or neighbours' houses till they are able to arrange an alternative arrangement for themselves. The families must be provided relief at the earliest.

The families, who are unable to reconstruct their houses, must get financial assistance from the government. People too must come forward to extend a helping hand to such families. There is a need to prevent fire incidents so that the families do not suffer. For that the residents must be alert and minimise or completely eliminate the causes of fire. All safety measures have to be taken in this direction.

Electric repairs must be done in the house if there are chances of short circuit due to some faults. Heating appliances should be operated with care. Leakage in cooking gas cylinders must be checked. All required steps must be taken in the houses to prevent fires. In rural areas the firewood and dry grass should be stocked at safer places in the houses. New fire service stations must be established wherever required.

There is a demand from residents of several areas for having fire service stations there. According to them the fire stations are located at far off places and when fire breaks out in their areas the fire tenders reach late.

Such demands must be considered on merit and accordingly met. The personnel of fire and emergency services department too must be fully equipped during fire fighting operations. They must have enough stored water with them to extinguish the fire in the areas, having water shortage. It has been noticed that sometimes they do not have stored water in their tanks and they take time in arranging the water.

During that time the fire spreads to more structures causing extensive damage. The fire fighters do a tough job while controlling the flames. Some of them also get injured. They should not be disturbed by the local residents and their work not hampered. They are experts in their job and must be allowed to do it without interference.