Budgam, Feb 14: Over the past four years, the frequency of fire incidents in the Budgam district has escalated. According to a data, from 2021 to 2024, the district has recorded a total of 876 fire incidents, with 49 of these being officially reported.
According to the official figure revealed by the fires and emergency department, the year 2021 alone saw 169 fire incidents across the district, resulting in damage to 17 cowsheds, 11 electric transformers, 45 residential houses, 26 shops, 7 tin sheds, and 49 trees.
The total property involved in these incidents amounted to 38.01 crores, with the Budgam fire service department successfully saving property worth 29.49 crores.
The data indicates a rise in fire incidents in 2022, with 203 occurrences reported. This year, 46 residential houses, 28 shops, 32 cowsheds, 3 tin sheds, 11 electric transformers, and 53 trees were damaged. The property involved was valued at 36.15 crores, while the department managed to save 26.92 crores.
In 2023, the trend continued, with Budgam witnessing 226 fire incidents. This year, 56 residential houses, 37 shops, 10 transformers, 62 trees, 21 cowsheds, and 6 tin sheds were affected, including 12 forest fire incidents.
The total property involved in these 226 incidents reached 43.61 crores, with the fire service department saving property of 37.30 crores.
The data indicated that in 2024, a total of 278 fire incidents occurred within the Budgam district. Among these incidents, damages were reported to 22 cow sheds, 12 electric transformers, 49 residential houses, 26 shops, 15 tin sheds, and 92 trees.
It revealed that there has been an increase in both fire incidents and forest fires, with 31 forest fire incidents documented across the district.
The data further said that property worth 34.56 crores was affected by fire incidents in 2024, while the department successfully saved property valued at 29.41 crores.
An official from the fire and emergency department informed Rising Kashmir that an advisory has already been issued to the residents of Budgam district, which they are urged to follow as a precautionary measure.
“In the event of any fire incidents reported in the Budgam district, the people should promptly contact the nearest fire station. This will help in reducing the occurrence of such incidents across the district. The fire services department is also conducting awareness programs in educational institutions and villages, providing the public with practical information on how to manage and control fires,” he said.
