Srinagar, December 07: A massive fire broke out on Sunday evening in Munawarabad, Srinagar, gutting dozens of shops and a timber unit, officials from Fire & Emergency Services confirmed.
The fire call was received at the State Fire Control Room, Batamaloo, at 10:27 PM, following which fire tenders were immediately dispatched from Babdem, Rainawari, Gowkadal, and F&ES Headquarters. Owing to the high population density in the area, reinforcement units from MR Gunj and Safa Kadal were also rushed to the scene.
In a significant and concerning development, the DFO Headquarters Muzaffar Hussain stated that upon arrival, some locals allegedly misbehaved with the firefighters, assaulted them, and forcibly snatched fire hoses, causing major challenges and delays in the initial phase of the operation. Officials said this interference posed serious risks and hampered the overall response.
Despite these obstacles, the teams continued with the firefighting effort. The Deputy Director, Fire & Emergency Services, Dr Mor Aqib Hussain Confirming the Incident said that dozens of shops and a timber facility were extensively damaged, but coordinated action by the firefighters successfully prevented the fire from spreading to nearby structures.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Cooling operations are currently underway, and a detailed investigation will be conducted to ascertain the exact trigger of the blaze.
