Srinagar: A day after a massive blaze gutted 13 residential houses in Pamposh Colony, Noorbagh, authorities said they are ascertaining the cause of the fire and that a detailed investigation is expected in the coming days.
The fire, which broke out late Tuesday night, left several families homeless as it engulfed two double-storey, five single-storey, and six tin-shed structures.
According to the Fire and Emergency Department, a distress call was received around 10:35pm and the first fire unit reached the site within a minute. However, the fire spread rapidly due to the tin-sheet roofing and congested locality.
Despite joint efforts by teams from six fire stations, the damage was extensive. Officials said the fire was eventually brought under control, preventing it from reaching nearby homes.
“We watched our home burn to ashes right in front of our eyes. Years of hard work and memories are gone,” said Ghulam Rasool Dar, a local resident.
Eyewitnesses told *Kashmir News Observer (KNO)* that the narrow lanes made it difficult for fire tenders to access the site quickly, worsening the situation in the crucial initial minutes.
Meanwhile, residents and community leaders have urged authorities to provide immediate relief and rehabilitation for the affected families.
