Srinagar: A major fire damaged three residential-cum-commercial structures in the Kralyar area of Rainawari near V.B. College in Srinagar during the intervening night, officials said on Saturday.
According to Fire and Emergency Services officials, a distress call was received at the State Fire Control Room, Batamaloo, following which a firefighting team from Fire Station Rainawari rushed to the spot. Owing to the congested nature of the locality, reinforcements were pressed into service from Babdemb, Headquarters, Gowkadal, Syed Hameedpora, Maharaj Gunj, Nowshahra and Hazratbal fire stations.
On arrival, firefighters found two adjoining three-storey residential-cum-commercial buildings, constructed in an L-shaped pattern, engulfed in flames along with a nearby single-storey structure housing a shop. A scooty (registration number JK01BB-8501) parked nearby was also damaged in the blaze.
Firefighters launched an extensive operation under difficult conditions, and after several hours of sustained efforts, brought the flames under control, preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent houses in the densely populated neighbourhood.
Officials said the first three-storey structure suffered severe damage to its roof and upper two floors, while shops operating inside — including a steel trunk store and an electrical shop — incurred heavy losses.
In the second three-storey building, the roof and second floor were extensively damaged, while the lower floors suffered water damage during firefighting operations. A grocery shop and vegetable outlets operating in the premises reported significant losses due to water.
The third structure, a single-storey building housing a bakery shop, was also badly damaged.
Officials said the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained and investigations are underway. No injuries or loss of life were reported in the incident. (KNT)
