Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 21: A man died of suffocation and 60 families were rendered homeless as over one dozen houses were gutted in a major blaze at densely populated Dalgate area of Srinagar today.
Officials said that the blaze erupted from a house at around 10:00 am this morning in Maleteng locality of Dalgate and within no time engulfed adjoining houses. After informing Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Department, the fire tenders from several fire-stations and also its headquarters rushed to Dalgate and started fire-fighting operations.
With the assistance of locals and police, the fire was put under control after around four hours but it had already gutted at around 12 to 15 houses as gas cylinders exploded, said a police official.
The official said that one person Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh died as a result of suffocation due to smoke. As the fire was being doused, local women were seen crying and reciting Quranic verses. The cause of the fire is being ascertained.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Srinagar, Syed Hanief Balki, visited the spot along with other officials and took stock of the situation. The SDM said that the fire has rendered 60 families homeless and they, as part of interim relief, donated tents to the affected.
He said, blankets, clothes and Rs. 2000-3000 were also given to the affected families. “After assessment, the Government will give Rs 1.25 lakh to the fire victims,” the SDM informed.
Meanwhile, three residential houses were gutted in another fire incident at Shahabad area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, a police officer said. He said the cause of fire is being ascertained.
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