Baramulla: At least 18 houses were gutted in a blaze that broke out in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, leaving 30 families homeless, officials said on Friday.
The fire broke out late on Thursday at Sweeper Colony in the Noorbagh area, they said, adding that police, fire and emergency services department were pressed into service to douse it.
The Army’s fire-tenders were also used to extinguish the flames, they said.
Among the affected families are two whose children’s marriages were scheduled in coming days – they too have lost everything to the fire, locals said.
Family of Danish, who was scheduled to get married on Friday next week, said that they were preparing for dinner on Saturday evening when all of sudden screams from nearby houses alerted them. As they ventured out they found the neighbor’s house was in flames.
“In a jiffy massive fire engulfed our house too. We had everything ready for marriage but devastating fire turned our wedding into mourning; we have lost everything …,” the family said.
Another victim, Tariq Ahmad Shiekh, whose daughter was scheduled to get married in next month, also lost everything besides jewelry and clothes to the massive fire.
“My daughter Fiza’s wedding jewelry and clothes are reduced to ashes. She was scheduled to get married next month after Eid. We lost everything besides a cash of one lakh repees,” said Tariq Ahmad Sheikh.
All 30 families are now putting up in makeshift tents where locals and civil administration provided them food, fruits and other essential commodities.
The locality houses already under-privileged community of sweepers who are mostly working in Municipal Council Baramulla.
Meanwhile, on the directions of Lt Governor, his Advisor Baseer Ahmad Khan accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Bhupinder Kumar and other senior officers visited the fire victims at Noorbagh and provided each of the victim families Rs 50,000 as immediate relief.
He also assured that more financial support shall be provided out of the Disaster Management Fund and under other similar schemes. He also announced one month free ration for the victim families, an official press release informed.
It said the residential houses comprising of 29 families with 160 souls, have been completely damaged in the fire. Khan went around of the gutted houses and interacted with the affected families.
He was apprised about the condition and the issues these families are facing in the aftermath of the incident. He gave a patient hearing to the sufferers and assured that every possible support shall be provided for their immediate rehabilitation.
He said that the Lt. Governor is personally monitoring the relief and rehabilitation of the affected families.
Khan directed the Deputy Commissioner to undertake a holistic assessment so that they can be covered under PMAY housing scheme and SDRF relief. He also directed to ensure that every type of possible assistance is provided to ameliorate their sufferings.
The victims thanked the Lieutenant Governor and Advisor Baseer Khan for their personal intervention and their efforts to extend immediate relief to the sufferers, the press release said.
Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole also visited the affected people at Noorbagh and directed the Deputy Commissioner to conduct a proper assessment of the damage so that the victims are rehabilitated under different welfare programmes sponsored by the administration.
He also directed to provide essential items as an immediate relief.
