Three residential houses gutted in Anantnag fire

Anantnag, July 20: A fire broke out in Sheerpora area of Anantnag town on Saturday afternoon, causing significant damage to three residential houses and affecting multiple families.An official said that the blaze, which started around 3:11 PM, was brought under control with the timely intervention of locals, police and fire and emergency teams from across the district.A senior revenue official confirmed that the affected families include Nazir Ahmad Dar, son of late Ghulam Nabi Dar; Shafeeqa Banoo, widow of late Ghulam Rasool Dar; and Sheezan Manzoor, son of late Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh. He added that the case for compensation has already been processed and relief will be provided to the affected families immediately.According to Fire and Emergency Services officials, the fire involved three residential houses — double, three, and four-storey structures with a mix of pucca and kacha construction.He said that the blaze caused severe damage to the roofing and upper storeys of all three structures, destroying ceilings, doors, windows, household goods, fixed and loose furniture, and other furnishings.“In addition, the ground floor of the double-storeyed house, the first floor of the three-storeyed house, and the second floor of the four-storeyed building also sustained indirect damage due to heat and water. Two other nearby houses were partially affected on one side,” he said.The official added that fire stations from Achabal, Mattan, Bijbehara, and Seer Hamdan were deployed to the site as reinforcements. Units from F&ES City Chowk and the Anantnag Fire Headquarters also responded to the fire and were turned out towards Malaknag.“The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained and remains under investigation,” he added.