Srinagar, Feb 11 (KNO): Panic and cries rocked the Babapora area of Habba Kadal late Tuesday evening after a fire broke out, leaving two civilians and a firefighter injured.
Officials said six houses suffered damage before the flames were brought under control.
An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the blaze erupted around 10:30 PM, prompting a response from the Fire and Emergency Services Department. “Given the congested nature of the locality, reinforcements from other stations were also pressed to contain the spread," he said.
During the intense firefighting operation, Fireman Fameed Ahmad sustained injuries and was shifted to the hospital, the official said, adding that two civilians, Amir Ahmad (12), son of Zakir Ahmad and Mohammad Shahad Mallah (60), son of Mukhtar Mallah, also suffered burn injuries and are said to be in stable condition at a hospital.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and courage as firefighters battled the blaze through narrow lanes. “We could hear explosions when gas cylinders burst inside the houses. The firefighters did not back down even for a moment,” said a local resident.
Abdul Rashid, another local, said they woke up to screams and smoke everywhere. “The fire spread so fast that people barely managed to step out. It was the quick action that saved the entire lane from turning to ashes,” he said.
Shazia Bano, a local, said, “The children were crying, and the elderly could not move quickly. Everyone came out to help, but the flames were too strong.”
The official added that two to three gas cylinders exploded in the area, causing damage to six residential houses, mostly to their attic portions—(KNO)