2 residential houses gutted in Lal Bazar

Srinagar, Feb 18: A massive fire broke out on Wednesday morning in the Lal Bazar area of Srinagar, gutting two residential houses and triggering panic among local residents, officials from the Fire and Emergency Services said.

According to the officials, the State Fire Control Room, Batamaloo, received a distress call following which fire tenders from Fire Station Nowshera, Fire Station Hazratbal, and Fire Station MR Gunj were rushed to the spot.

ìOn arrival, it was found that a three-storeyed residential house, including its attic, had caught fire. The flames later spread to an adjoining residential structure,î an official said.

Officials said that firefighting operations were launched simultaneously from multiple sides.

ìDespite congested lanes and the intensity of the blaze, teams acted swiftly and brought the fire under control after sustained efforts,î the official said.  The operation was conducted under the supervision of Deputy Director Fire and Emergency Services (Command Srinagar) Mir Aqib Hussain, along with Mobilising Officer Aijaz Ahmad Shah.

Eyewitnesses said the locality witnessed chaos as thick plumes of smoke engulfed the area, forcing families to rush out of their homes.  Locals played a crucial role in the initial response, helping firefighters by clearing access routes and attempting to salvage household belongings. ìPeople came out in large numbers and extended all possible help,î an eyewitness said.

While no loss of life or injuries was reported, both a three-storeyed house with attic and another three-storeyed residential house were gutted. The cause of the fire is under investigation, officials said.

The incident adds to a worrying spike in residential fire incidents reported across Srinagar since the beginning of the year.

Officials attribute the rise to a mix of faulty wiring, unsafe heating practices, and non-compliance with safety advisories, particularly during winter. Fire and Emergency Services officials have once again urged residents to strictly follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensure periodic inspection of electrical systems, and exercise caution while using heating gadgets. ìPublic cooperation and adherence to safety norms remain key to preventing such incidents,î officials said.