Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 10: A massive fire broke out at a seminary -Jamia Arabia Ashraful Uloom – in Hyderpora area of Srinagar this evening, triggering panic in the locality and prompting a large-scale firefighting operation, officials and eyewitnesses said.
The Fire and Emergency Services control room in Batamaloo received a distress call at around 6:15 pm, following which fire tenders from different stations were rushed to the spot despite heavy traffic congestion.
Eyewitnesses said flames and thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the upper portion of the building within minutes. Click here to watch video
“We saw smoke rising from the top floor and then suddenly flames spread very fast,” said a local resident. People rushed out and there was panic all around.
Another eyewitness said initial attempts were made by locals to douse the flames before fire tenders arrived.
“People tried to help, but the fire was too intense,” he said, adding that the situation later stabilised as firefighting teams took charge.
Officials said the blaze engulfed the fourth floor and attic of the L-shaped structure, described as a “massive” building, complicating firefighting efforts.
Water shortage at the site further hampered operations, prompting authorities to mobilise additional tenders.
In total, seven fire stations and 12 fire tenders were pressed into service to contain the blaze.
A few civilians and firefighters sustained minor injuries during the incident, officials said.
They added that while there was some initial interference by bystanders, locals later cooperated with the rescue teams and the blaze was brought under control.
The blaze was later brought under control after several hours of effort, and cooling operations were underway at the time of filing this report.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
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