Srinagar- At least nine residential houses were damaged in two separate fire incidents in Srinagar city on Monday, while three firefighter’s sustained injuries during the operations, officials said.
The official said the first incident occurred in Rajbagh Srinagar, while the second took place in Eidgah, Srinagar.
The official further said that five residential houses were damaged in the Kursu Rajbagh that rendered several families homeless.
Later in the afternoon, another massive fire erupted in the Eidgah area, engulfing four residential houses. “During the operation to control the flames, three firefighters, identified as Mohammad Yaqoob Sofi and Fayaz Ahmad, and Aftab Alam sustained injuries,” he said.
Meanwhile, firefighters along with local residents collectively douse the flames to prevent spreading of fire.
“An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause of both fire incidents,” said an official.
Meanwhile, emotional scenes widely spread at both the locations as the victims were watching their properties burning to ashes. “We tried our best to save whatever we could, but the fire spread too fast,” said a resident of Rajbagh.
Another resident from Eidgah said that the public came together to help, but the damage was already done. “Many families have lost everything and are left with nothing but faith in God,” he said.
A shopkeeper near the Eidgah fire site said fire tenders arrived, but the flames were uncontrollable. “It was heartbreaking to see houses turning to ashes,” he said.
‘Toothless’ F&ES Can’t Act Against Fire Safety Violators’ In Kashmir
Despite hundreds of fire incidents reported annually, the “toothless” Fire & Emergency Services Department remains powerless to act against violators due to the absence of enforcement powers under the pending Fire Safety Model Bill.
According to official data nearly 600 fire incidents were reported in Srinagar in 2023 alone, while Budgam district witnessed 276 incidents. In just the first month of 2024, Kashmir recorded 41 fire incidents, including 9 in Srinagar.
These recurring incidents have raised serious concerns about the lack of fire safety measures in both commercial and residential buildings, especially in the congested areas of the old city.
Deputy Director of Fire & Emergency Services Command Srinagar, Er. Mohmad Arif Mir, said that the primary reason for the frequent fire incidents is the increased use of heating devices during the harsh winter months. “Structures are already vulnerable, and the use of substandard equipment or failure to follow safety protocols often leads to devastating consequences,” Mir said.
The department has been conducting fire safety audits for government buildings, schools, and hospitals through an online portal. A dedicated helpline is also available for reporting fire safety concerns.
However, Mir said that many establishments, particularly in Srinagar’s Downtown area, continue to ignore safety norms. “While fines can be imposed, the department lacks the enforcement powers to take strict action against violators,” he added.
The root of the problem lies in the delayed implementation of the Fire Safety Model Bill, which has been under consideration for the past two years. “Until the bill is passed and becomes an act, the department cannot enforce fire safety regulations or hold violators accountable,” Mir said.
The non-implementation of the Fire Force Act (1967), which mandates the installation of safety equipment in buildings, has also been blamed for the frequent fire accidents. Unplanned urbanization has exacerbated the issue, with houses in many areas of Srinagar built so close together that fire spreads rapidly, causing extensive damage. In several localities, the absence of adequate fire gaps between buildings hampers the fire brigade’s ability to control flames effectively. (KNO)
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