Hazratbal Fire Incident: Seven Residential Houses, Shopping Complex Damaged

SRINAGAR: At least seven residential houses, including a ‘U-shaped’ shopping complex, were damaged in a massive fire incident at Dargah Hazratbal in central Kashmir’s Srinagar district this afternoon, officials said.

They said that a fire erupted inside a shop, situated just opposite the Sir Syed Gate of Kashmir University, this morning. “Soon after, the fire raged and spread to many other shops and residential houses even as fire tenders from several nearby stations were called in to douse off the flames on time.”

After several hours of hectic efforts, the fire was brought under control, the officials said, adding that the blaze, however, caused damage to at least seven residential houses and many shops, including Hatrick and Amigos food outlets, which were part of the ‘U-shaped’ shopping complex.

The fire, according to the officials, mainly caused damage to the attic, roofing, and ceiling of the structures.

Confirming this, a F&ES Department official said that it took them several hours to contain the fire. The official, at the same time, expressed regret over the uncalled-for attitude of the motorists who, according to him, blocked the road despite sirens being made by the fire tenders to pave the way for their movement.

“The authorities need to look into this and take necessary measures so that no emergency movement of the fire tenders is hampered in any way,” the official said, adding “Deputing and escorting the fire tenders with police personnel could be a viable thing in such a situation.”

The official, in the meantime, said that the cause of the fire was not immediately known, although the gas cylinder blasts in the food outlets triggered the fire to such an extent.

It has been learned that several structures damaged in the incident are the property of the J&K Waqf Board.

When contacted to ascertain the veracity of these claims, J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Darakshan Andrabi told GNS that she is visiting the site to assess the situation. “I am visiting the site in a while to know and assess the situation,” she said. (GNS)