Kupwara: A massive overnight blaze in the Hyhama area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district has destroyed ten structures, including five double-storeyed residential houses, three cowsheds and three shops, leaving several families homeless.
Officials informed that property worth crores had been lost to the fire, though no injuries or casualties were reported.
The fire reportedly broke out shortly after midnight, with flames originating from a shop and intensified rapidly due to other structures, eyewitnesses said.
Personnel of Fire & Emergency Services, police and army, worked together with locals to douse the flames, but not before it had consumed the homes and businesses of several families, the official said.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Fayaz Mir, the MLA of Kupwara, visited the scene to assess the damage. He assured the affected families of all possible assistance and immediate relief. “I will personally take up the matter with the authorities to ensure swift compensation for the victims,” he said.
Mir also distributed immediate relief supplies to help the victims, who have been left with nothing. “The Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara has committed to providing financial aid from Red Cross funds, along with Rs 1 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for each affected family,” Fayaz said.
“These families are my responsibility now,” the MLA said, adding that every possible step will be taken to ensure they are not left to suffer during the harsh winter. (With inputs from KNO)
