Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, May 21 : A family’s preparations for an upcoming wedding were reduced to ashes after a massive fire broke out in the congested Nawakadal area of Srinagar on Tuesday late night, damaging at least five residential houses and destroying all belongings, including the trousseau of a bride-to-be. The fire shook the area and has left residents in trauma.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Nazir Ahmad, the girl’s uncle, said the fire broke out suddenly late at night.
“We were coming out of the masjid when we heard shouts about a fire nearby. Within minutes, the flames had engulfed several houses. The area is densely packed, and we couldn’t even get close to douse the flames,” he said.
Ahmad said the family was preparing for the wedding of his daughter, who works as a private school teacher. “We had planned her marriage for August. All the preparations, clothes, jewellery, and household items we bought for her wedding have been gutted in the fire. All our dreams were destroyed in seconds,” he said while wiping tears.
The locals from the area said they are thankful the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) Department and other authorities arrived on time, otherwise more houses would have been reduced to rubble.
Meanwhile, officials from the Fire Services department told KNO that five residential houses, double and three-storeyed, were involved in the fire, and the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.
They said the attic portions, roofing, ceiling, furniture, and household goods of two double-storey houses were severely damaged. Meanwhile, three other houses suffered partial damage to their upper floors and roofing.
They added that two scooties bearing registration numbers JK01T-0210 and BL3SDW-1138 were also damaged in the incident, while there were no reports of any injuries. Authorities have launched an assessment of the losses.
The residents have appealed to the administration for immediate relief and support, especially for the affected families whose belongings and essential goods have been destroyed just months ahead of major family events—(KNO)
