Srinagar, Dec 24: A massive fire gutted a four-storey commercial building in Kalashpora, Srinagar, in the early hours of Wednesday, causing widespread panic among residents and shopkeepers in the area.
According to officials from the Fire and Emergency Services Department, a distress call was received at 7:21 am, following which firefighting units were immediately deployed. Fire tenders from SH Pora, MR Gunj, and other stations rushed to the spot to control the blaze.
“When our teams reached the location, the fire had already engulfed a portion of the building. A wood carving unit on the third floor and a cable operating office on the second floor were ablaze. Due to large quantities of wood and other combustible materials, the flames intensified rapidly,” an official said.
Firefighters managed to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.
However, a major portion of the building, including its roofing and contents, was damaged. No casualties were reported, though losses are said to be substantial due to the presence of expensive carved walnut wood.
Eyewitnesses said thick plumes of smoke engulfed the locality, creating panic among residents.
“We saw heavy smoke coming out of the building, and people rushed out of their homes to help,” said a local shopkeeper.
Officials said preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by a short circuit. “Initial findings indicate that an electrical short circuit triggered the fire in one of the units, which then spread rapidly,” the official said.
The incident comes amid a noticeable rise in fire incidents across the city in recent weeks, affecting commercial establishments, government installations, and residential areas. Officials attribute this surge largely to electrical faults and unsafe use of heating gadgets during winter.
“With increased use of heaters and other electrical appliances, the risk of short circuits rises. We are issuing advisories regularly and repeatedly urging people to strictly follow standard operating procedures,” the official said, adding that proper wiring, avoiding overloading, and switching off appliances when not in use are crucial to prevent such incidents.