Srinagar, Jan 07 (KNO): The morning in Srinagar’s Nowhatta area was filled with cries for rescue as a fire incident occurred at Bahodeen Sahab locality, damaging four residential houses and three shops, rendering families homeless in the harsh winter.
Officials said the fire call was received at 08:36 AM from Nowhatta, Srinagar.
An official from Fire and Emergency department (F&ES), told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that four residential houses and three shops were damaged at Bahodeen Sahab locality of Nowhatta, Srinagar, this morning in a fire incident.
He said that as the fire broke out, the Fire and Emergency officials rushed to the spot to douse the flames. The fire call, as per him, was received at 08:36 AM.
Meanwhile, the blaze has left families homeless in the harsh winter, and the MLA of Hazratbal, Salman Sagar, also visited the fire victims in the area.
He urged the district administration to ensure swift compensation and immediate relief for the victims. He also assured all possible support from MLA Khanyar, Ali Mohammad Sagar.
A local from the area, speaking with KNO, said he woke up to the sound of screams and the crackling of flames. “The fire spread so fast that we barely managed to get out. My children were crying, and we stood helpless as our home was reduced to ashes. In this bitter cold, we have nowhere to go. Everything we built over decades is gone in minutes. All we ask for is a roof over our heads and some relief to start again,” said a lady from the area.”
Another local resident said, “It was a scene of chaos. People ran with buckets of water, shouting for help. The flames were so intense that even fire tenders struggled to control them. I saw families crying, holding on to each other as they watched their homes burn,” he said.
Notably, fire incidents are rising, especially in winter, with the F&ES department requesting locals to stay alert, avoid storing flammable items and charcoal in one place, and use electric and gas appliances with proper care—(KNO)