Karnah(JKNS): A sudden fire broke out at Bait-ul-Uloom Dar-ul-Uloom in the Shatapalla area of Karnah this evening, causing extensive damage to the religious institution and two adjoining residential houses. Property worth lakhs of rupees is reported to have been damaged in the incident.
According to local residents, the fire broke out at around 4 pm and rapidly spread to the adjoining structures. Huge flames could be seen from a considerable distance, creating panic among residents of the area.
As soon as the news spread, local residents rushed to the spot and launched efforts to control the fire. The administration, Fire and Emergency Services, police, Army and BSF personnel reached the spot and joined the firefighting and rescue operation.
The Army played an important role in the firefighting operation. Army units deployed their vehicles at the site and brought a fire engine along with other firefighting equipment. Army personnel were deployed to assist in controlling the flames and preventing the fire from spreading to nearby residential structures. Personnel from different Army units, along with BSF personnel, also reached the spot and participated in the operation.
Senior officials also reached the site and monitored the situation. the Deputy Commander, along with other senior Army officers, were present at the spot and coordinated the response with the civil administration, Fire and Emergency Services, police and local volunteers.
The combined efforts of local residents, Fire and Emergency Services, police, Army and BSF personnel helped prevent the fire from spreading further into the adjoining residential area and potentially causing greater damage.
However, Bait-ul-Uloom Dar-ul-Uloom suffered extensive damage. Around 40 children were reportedly receiving religious education at the institution. The building, as well as property, educational material and other belongings inside the Dar-ul-Uloom, were damaged in the fire.
Two adjoining residential houses were also badly affected. The damaged houses include those belonging to Mohammad Rafiq Khwaja, son of Abdul Rahman Khwaja, and Kafeel-ur-Rehman, son of Khalil-ur-Rehman.
Locals said that a wedding had been held at Mohammad Rafiq Khwaja’s house around five days ago, and a large quantity of wedding-related belongings and other household items were destroyed in the fire. The family is believed to have suffered losses amounting to lakhs of rupees.
The exact cause of the fire was not immediately known. No loss of life was reported in the incident.
Meanwhile, residents expressed concern over the reported shortage of manpower in the Fire and Emergency Services in Karnah and urged the authorities to strengthen the department by providing adequate staff, firefighting vehicles, equipment and other necessary resources to deal with emergencies effectively.
Local residents appreciated the timely efforts of the administration, Army, BSF, police, Fire and Emergency Services personnel and volunteers. They said that the deployment of Army vehicles, a fire engine, firefighting equipment and additional personnel, along with the presence of senior civil and Army officers, significantly supported the firefighting operation and helped prevent the flames from spreading to more houses and the adjoining habitation.(JKNS)