Srinagar, Nov 20: In a tragic incident, two minor brothers aged six and three years, were charred to death in a fire mishap at a remote village in the Devsar area of Lolab in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday.
Hearing their screams, the locals rushed to the spot and tried to douse the flame. By the time the fire was brought under control, the minor boys were charred to death.
As per the local residents, on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, a massive fire broke out in the residential house of Mohammad Akbar Khan, a resident of the Devar.
The fire quickly spread to the entire structure, which was made of wood, despite the efforts of locals, men from the Fire and Emergency Services Department, and the army to put it out. As the rescue operation was going on, two minor siblings stuck inside the house couldn’t be rescued on time and were burned alive.
An official confirming the incident identified the sibling duo as Amir Ahmed Khan (6) and Sabzar Ahmad Khan (3), sons of house owner Mohammad Akbar Khan.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Doifode Sagar Dattatray, along with SSP Kupwara, Yougal Manhas, and a team of officers, visited Diver in Lolab Subdivision on Sunday and met the fire victim family, whose residential house was gutted in a massive fire incident on an intervening night.
The Deputy Commissioner expressed grief over the loss of two minors’ lives and expressed sympathy with the affected family.
The Deputy Commissioner provided immediate cash relief of Rs. 1 lakh under the District Red Cross Fund to the family. Besides, they provided a tent, blankets, a kitchen set, and ration items.
The Deputy Commissioner assured additional assistance under SDRF norms and directed the DFO concerned to provide timber for the victim’s family.
Meanwhile, a pall of gloom has descended over the residents of the tribal village following the demise of the minor siblings.
