Srinagar, February 11: A late-night fire broke out in the densely populated Habbakadal locality of Srinagar, damaging at least six residential houses and leaving three persons, including a firefighter, injured, officials said on Wednesday.
According to officials, the Fire and Emergency Services control room received a distress call at around 10:32 pm on Tuesday. Fire tenders from Habbakadal, Babdem and Gowkadal stations were immediately dispatched to the spot.
However, narrow lanes and congested construction in the locality hampered initial firefighting efforts, prompting authorities to deploy additional units from other city stations.
During the operation, explosions from two to three LPG cylinders intensified the blaze, which largely gutted the attic portions of the affected houses.
A firefighter sustained an injury to his hand, while two civilians suffered minor injuries. All three were shifted to a local hospital, treated, and later discharged.
Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services, Dr. Mir Aqib Hussain, who supervised the operation, said the exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained and an investigation has been initiated. He added that while verification is ongoing, at least six houses have suffered significant damage.
