SRINAGAR, Apr 19 — A late-night fire ripped through Bemina’s Gousia Colony on Friday, gutting two residential buildings and a Darul Uloom, while six personnel from Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES), including a senior officer, sustained injuries while battling the flames.
The fire, which officials attributed to an electric short circuit, broke out inside “Madras Sal-Sabeel-Ul-Saleem,” a single-storey Islamic seminary and quickly spread to two adjacent three-storey houses.
“The attic of the seminary, used to store rice and other supplies, was completely destroyed,” said an F&ES official.
“Roofing and ceilings of all three buildings were severely damaged. Holy books, bedding, and clothes stored inside were also lost.”
He added that the second floors of both homes and the seminary suffered partial damage, affecting furniture and other household items.
Six firefighters sustained injuries during the operation. Among them was Zorawar Singh, Incharge City Fire Officer and Divisional Fire Officer HORS, who suffered an eye injury. Waseem Ahmad Ganie, a fireman, sustained fractures in his neck and arm and was admitted to a Srinagar hospital. Other injured firemen include Ishfaq Ahmad, Bashir Ahmad, Suhail Raina, and Javeed Ahmad Baba.
“The fire could have spread to more structures in this congested locality if not for the timely and brave response of our team,” the official said.
Authorities have taken cognizance of the incident. No civilian casualties were reported.
(KNO Inputs)