Baramulla, Jul 23 (KNO): At least 10 shops were reduced to ashes in a devastating fire that broke out during midnight at Boniyar market in Baramulla district, with the locals demanding an establishment of a fire and emergency unit within the locality.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the blaze started at midnight, which prompted locals, police as well as army personnel to combat the flames. They were later on joined by the fire and emergency services.
Until the fire was brought under control, several shops were reduced to ashes. The cause of the fire is being ascertained and is being investigated.
Meanwhile, local police have taken cognizance of the incident.
The residents have called for the establishment of a dedicated fire and emergency unit in the area, with many believing that the presence of fire responders could have mitigated the damage in the incident.
“If we had a fire and emergency unit here, the fire could have been controlled much earlier and the extent of damage would have been far less,” locals said.
Administration needs to take this matter seriously and ensure the Boniyar and the peripheral areas are better protected from such tragedies in the future. It's high time for them to fulfill our long standing demand, they added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa visited the area and sympathized with affected families. The Deputy Commissioner also assured them of every possible support from the district administration.
The DC also assured the community that a plan for setting up a fire station in the area has already been set in motion and the new fire station would be established in the near future to enhance their ability to respond promptly to such emergencies—(KNO)