Budgam, Oct 29: At least 17 temporary tents and a paint and hardware godown were gutted in a massive fire that broke out in the Gorteng Narkara area of Budgam, triggering panic among locals.
According to officials, the State Fire Control Room, Batamaloo, received a distress call after a thick plume of smoke was spotted rising from the area. Fire tenders from Fire and Emergency Services Headquarters Budgam and Fire Station Rawalpora were immediately dispatched to the spot to launch firefighting operations.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, officials said the fire spread rapidly due to the temporary tents, which were primarily made of tarpaulin and wood.
The flames subsequently engulfed a paint and hardware godown, further intensifying the blaze.
Officials said water tenders, along with foam, were deployed during the firefighting operation to contain the flames. Foam was used to tackle the highly inflammable materials, including paint, plastic, PPR pipes and tarpaulin, involved in the incident.
The firefighting operation was being supervised by Director General, Jammu and Kashmir Fire and Emergency Services, Alok Kumar, IPS (ADGP). Senior departmental officers were also present at the site, coordinating and assisting in the firefighting efforts.
The exact cause of the fire has not been ascertained so far. An investigation has been initiated to determine the circumstances that led to the incident.
