Nearly 1,000 Boxes of Apples Destroyed; Grower Seeks Government Compensation.
Sopore, Oct 9 : Two fire incidents were reported in the Zaingair area of Sopore within a span of seven hours on Thursday, causing substantial property damage.
An apple storage shed was gutted in Sempora, destroying nearly 1,000 boxes of apples, while a separate fire broke out in a cowshed at Khan Mohalla, Duroo, late Thursday night, as per news agency .
In the Sempora incident, a fire broke out in an apple storage shed belonging to Manzoor Ahmad Sofi at around 5:45 PM to 6:00 PM, reportedly following a short circuit amid heavy rainfall and gusty winds. The fire destroyed the stored American and Delicious varieties of apples and partially damaged the backside of his newly constructed residential house.
Sofi alleged that sparks from a nearby 63 KVA electricity transformer might have triggered the fire. However, the exact cause of the incident has yet to be officially established.
Sofi said the apples represented a year’s hard work and a major financial investment, adding that he had purchased the produce from orchardists and was now facing heavy losses.
He appealed to the government and concerned authorities to assess the damage and provide adequate compensation.
Locals and Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel assisted in efforts to control the blaze and prevent further damage. A police team led by SHO Police Station Bomai, Zia Ur Rehman, also reached the spot.
In the second incident, a fire broke out in a cowshed belonging to Mohd Ramzan Khan, son of Ab Khaliq Khan, at Khan Mohalla, Duroo, late Thursday night.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel, locals, volunteers and police personnel from Police Station Bomai assisted in efforts to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby residential houses.
The consecutive incidents have prompted residents to seek timely administrative intervention, assessment of losses and necessary measures to strengthen fire safety in the area.
