Srinagar, Nov 4 (JKNS): Two persons were killed after a massive fire engulfed around 80 temporary shelters at Durbal area of Bemina in Srinagar during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, officials said.
According to the Fire and Emergency Services Department, as per news agency JKNS, the fire broke out around 12:23 AM and rapidly engulfed nearly 80 makeshift shelters constructed with tarpaulin and wooden material. An empty poultry farm and a tipper were also caught in the blaze.
Fire tenders from Fire Stations JVC and Rawalpora, along with additional reinforcements from Fire and Emergency Services Headquarters Batamaloo, were rushed to the spot to control the fire.
Officials said the flames had spread across the entire area before the Fire and Emergency Services were called, making the firefighting operation challenging.
After the blaze was brought under control, two bodies were recovered from the debris. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Noor Alam (27), son of Abdal Wahab, a resident of Delhi presently staying at Durbal, and Al Ameen (16), son of Mohd Rafi, originally from Delhi and presently residing in Kupwara.
Both were working as scrap collectors in Durbal, officials said.
The bodies were handed over to the local police after completion of FSL proceedings. The cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.
The firefighting operation was coordinated by Deputy Director Command Srinagar Dr Aqib Hussain Mir, Mobilising Officer Aijaz Ahmad Shah, DFO City and DFO Headquarters. (JKNS)