Only 2 fire tenders for Gurez Valley: Villagers live in fear amid recurrent blaze threats
Bandipora, Oct 10: The latest fire that gutted two houses in Purana Tulail this week has reignited long-standing fears among residents of Gurez valley, where delayed response and a severe shortage of firefighting equipment continue to turn small blazes into major disasters.
The fire broke out late on Tuesday evening at the house of Abdul Ahad Lone, son of Saboor Lone, before spreading to an adjoining structure. Despite frantic efforts by locals and assistance from the army and police, both houses were reduced to ashes. While there were no casualties, the families lost nearly all their belongings.
The remote mountain region has a troubling record of such incidents. Just weeks ago, in August, at least twenty structures were damaged in a massive blaze at Kashpath village in Tulail, leaving 25 people injured, including a police officer. Officials said the remoteness of the area, wooden houses, and poor connectivity made firefighting extremely challenging.
In previous years, Gurez has witnessed fires of similar intensity. In December 2021, ten houses in Tulail, near the Line of Control, were gutted, with the army stepping in to evacuate villagers and douse the flames. In October 2020, nine houses were destroyed in Baduaab village, while another blaze in Bagtore the same night consumed multiple barns housing cattle and sheep.
A February 2024 fire in Markoot, near the centrally located Dawar Tehsil, saw tempers flare when locals accused the Fire and Emergency Department of negligence after tenders allegedly arrived over an hour late.
Eyewitnesses said angry residents smashed the windows of the fire vehicle in protest, alleging that the crew had been unreachable when the fire started. Officials later denied negligence, claiming their team arrived within minutes of receiving the distress call.
Residents say these recurring tragedies stem from chronic infrastructure inadequacies, particularly the lack of fire tenders in the valley, where homes are largely made of wood.
“There are eight halqas in Dawar Gurez, two in Bagtore, and ten in Tulail, but only two fire tenders serve the entire area: one stationed in Dawar and another in Tulail,” said Abdul Raheem Lone, a local and former head of Panchayat representatives.
“Even a small blaze can turn into a major disaster before help arrives.”
Lone highlighted how the valley’s terrain and geographical spread slow emergency response. “It takes about one and a half hours to reach Kashpath, nearly 25 kilometres from the nearest station. Similarly, Gujran is around 30 to 35 kilometres away. By the time the tender arrives, it is often too late.”
Villages such as Barnai, Dangi Thal, and other parts of Tulail Tehsil have witnessed repeated blazes over the years, resulting in the loss of dozens of homes. “In Barnai, fires have broken out three times. About twenty houses were burnt in one incident alone. The same has happened in Dangi Thal, Jurniyal, and even parts of Dawar market, where several shops were gutted last year,” Lone recalled.
Wooden homes, narrow roads, and freezing winters compound the risk. With heating sources like bukharis and open stoves in constant use, even a small spark can prove disastrous. “People who rebuilt their homes after fires still live in fear. They tell us, ‘If there is another fire, we will lose everything again because there is no proper fire service,’” Lone added.
Calling for urgent government action, Lone urged authorities to sanction more firefighting units in the region. “If we had three more tenders — one each for Tulail, Barnai, and Dawar — we could respond faster and save lives and property. Every winter brings fresh fear because we know how long it takes for help to arrive.”
For now, residents rely on community efforts, the army, and sheer resilience, forming human chains, throwing snow, and braving freezing nights to fight fires with bare hands.
SDM Gurez Mukhtar Ahmad said villagers have long demanded additional fire tenders in Bagtore and a dedicated fire service station in Purana Tulail. “The population in Gurez is low, but the area is widely scattered,” he noted.
Ahmad acknowledged the lack of resources and manpower in the local fire service. Most homes are wooden, often with barns and fodder storage attached, making fires particularly devastating.
He said local demands had been forwarded to the assistant director of the Fire and Emergency Department in Bandipora, which is pursuing the matter. Recently, a mini fire tender van was provided to Bagtore, but due to staff shortages, it is operated by local volunteers.
