Srinagar, Oct 25 (JKNS): A major fire that broke out in a three-storey residential-cum-commercial building housing a blanket-selling unit at Karan Nagar in Srinagar was brought under control around 5:30 am on Sunday, while cooling operations continued, officials said.
The building, housing Mir Sales Corporation opposite Medicare Hospital, caught fire late Saturday night, triggering a massive firefighting operation involving 12 fire stations and around 20 fire tenders, officials told news agency JKNS.
Officials said firefighting teams deployed Bronto skylifts, foam tenders, fire cans, Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) and Advanced Rescue Teams (ARTs) to contain the blaze.
Given the presence of large quantities of cotton and other combustible materials inside the building, cooling operations continued even after the flames were brought under control.
As a precautionary measure, patients were evacuated from the nearby Medicare Hospital during the incident.
Meanwhile, videos showing Srinagar Police personnel assisting in the evacuation surfaced on social media, drawing appreciation for their prompt response and assistance to the firefighting teams.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Sujit Kumar praised Srinagar Police for extending support during the operation.
“Well done, Team Srinagar! District Police Srinagar has extended full support to the firefighting teams in controlling the fire at Medicity Hospital, Karan Nagar,” the IGP said, while appreciating the coordination, prompt response and efforts of all personnel involved.
The cause of the fire and the extent of damage were yet to be ascertained, officials said, adding that an investigation into the incident was underway. (JKNS)