SRINAGAR: Goods worth lakhs of rupees were gutted after a major fire broke out at Mir Sales Corporation, a blanket-selling and furnishing unit housed in a three-storey residential-cum-commercial building in Kaka Sarai, Karan Nagar, Srinagar, during the intervening night of October 24 and 25.
The fire, which engulfed four commercial structures and a large iron shed, was brought under control around 5:30 am on Sunday after nearly seven hours of firefighting. Cooling operations continued due to the large quantity of cotton and other combustible material stored inside the premises, officials said.
Around 12 fire stations and 20 fire tenders were deployed to contain the blaze. The operation involved Bronto skylifts, foam tenders, fire cans, Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) and Advanced Rescue Teams (ARTs), with resources mobilised from F&ES headquarters and stations across Srinagar and adjoining areas.
The fire caused extensive damage to commercial and adjoining residential-cum-commercial structures. The presence of furnishing materials, polythene, tarpaulins and other inflammable items posed challenges to the firefighting teams.
The blaze broke out opposite Medicare Hospital, prompting the precautionary evacuation of patients. Fire and Emergency Services personnel, in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other agencies, evacuated all patients safely.
Director F&ES Alok Kumar said the department’s prompt response helped contain the fire within the affected premises, prevent its spread to nearby structures and protect the adjoining six-storey hospital from direct fire damage.
The operation was conducted under Kumar’s supervision, with Deputy Director F&ES Command Srinagar Dr Aqib Hussain Mir leading the teams on the ground. Kumar commended the personnel for their professionalism, courage and teamwork, particularly their efforts to evacuate patients and prevent the fire from spreading.
IGP Kashmir also praised Srinagar Police for extending support to the firefighting teams, lauding their coordination and prompt response.
The cause of the fire and the extent of losses were yet to be ascertained, officials said, adding that an investigation was underway.
In a separate incident, two trucks parked at the Police Control Room in Srinagar were damaged in a fire on Saturday night. Fire and Emergency Services personnel brought the blaze under control, officials said.
