Baramulla, Jan 5: The Jammu and Kashmir Fire and Emergency Services responded to around 1,140 calls across three districts of north Kashmir during 2025, official figures revealed, with fire incidents claiming four lives and causing extensive property damage.
In Baramulla district, the department attended to 533 fire calls, including six false alarms, with November recording the highest number of incidents. Fires damaged 83 residential houses, 16 shops, 31 cow sheds, 44 sheds and 86 haystacks, besides other properties. Two civilians sustained injuries during the year.
Officials said property worth Rs 42.64 crore was involved in fire incidents in Baramulla, of which losses amounted to Rs 9.85 crore, while assets worth Rs 32.77 crore were saved. The primary causes of fires were identified as LPG leaks, electrical overloads and short circuits. The district also reported six incidents of forest fires during the year.
In Bandipora district, Fire and Emergency Services responded to 228 calls, including three false calls.
Meanwhile, in Kupwara district, the department attended to around 379 calls, including three false calls and 18 rescue operations. Official data show that four civilians lost their lives and 47 others were injured in fire incidents reported in the district during 2025.
In Kupwara, property worth Rs 65.44 crore was involved in various incidents, with losses estimated at Rs 10 crore, while property worth Rs 55 crore was saved. The damaged assets included 90 houses, nine buildings, 23 shopping complexes, 22 shops, 75 cow sheds, 59 firewood sheds, 69 haystacks and 12 vehicles, besides other properties.
Assistant Director, Fire and Emergency Services J&K (North Kashmir), Er Mohmad Arif Mir, said that 2025 remained relatively calmer compared to 2024, although an uptick in incidents was observed during the last quarter of the year due to dry weather conditions.
“During the last quarter, we witnessed an increase in forest fire incidents, largely due to dry weather. Overall, however, the situation remained calmer than in 2024,” he said.
Mir added that most fire incidents during the year were caused by public negligence and urged people to exercise caution while using heating appliances during winter.
“With winter setting in, people must use heating gadgets with utmost care and ensure that all appliances are ISI-marked,” he said.
Comparing the data with 2024, Mir said north Kashmir recorded a reduction in fire calls in 2025, with a decline of 39 percent in Bandipora, seven percent in Kupwara and three percent in Baramulla.