Srinagar, Mar 15: Fire incidents in the Kashmir valley have become a daily norm. Officials from the Fire and Emergency Department in Kashmir are attributing people’s negligence as the primary cause.
According to the data, in the first 65 days of this year, the Kashmir valley has witnessed around 800 fire incidents, in which property worth millions of rupees has been reduced to ashes, and the incidents continue to rise.
The officials stated that they have found that more than 90 percent of fire incidents are being reported due to short circuits and gas leakage.
Deputy Director of Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES), Aqib Hussain, revealed that Srinagar district alone has experienced approximately 180 fire incidents this year, contributing significantly to the overall tally of 800 incidents reported across the valley. Within these incidents, two fatalities and two injuries were recorded. Hussain emphasized the need for caution, especially during the winter season when many people utilize various heating devices. He stressed the importance of adhering to safety protocols and following both Dos and Don’ts.
Highlighting common causes of fires such as short circuits and wiring breakages, Hussain urged the public to conduct regular electrical audits. He also advised installing protective measures like Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) to mitigate potential fire hazards.
The official stated that Srinagar is vulnerable to fires and the downtown area of the city is more vulnerable, with maximum fire incidents being reported from that area. Also, firefighters are facing issues in dousing the flames due to narrow roads and congestion.
During construction, people are neglecting safety measures and not keeping fire gaps. Consequently, whenever a fire incident occurs, it spreads to nearby houses within no time, resulting in more damage in the city.
The officer also stated that they have written to the Home Ministry seeking enforcement power. Once approval is given, they will visit any spot to check fire safety measures, which can contribute to a decline in fire incidents. Currently, they only have access to visit government buildings upon demand to conduct fire audits, the officer said.
