A massive fire that broke out at Bulbul Bagh near Tengpora Bridge in Srinagar on Tuesday evening caused extensive damage to a showroom-cum-godown and dozens of residential sheds, with the blaze finally brought under control after nearly 30 hours of continuous firefighting operations, officials said.
According to officials, the State Fire Control Room received the fire call at 17:06 hours on Tuesday and Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) teams were rushed to the spot, with the first unit arriving within a minute.
The blaze engulfed a U-shaped, double-storeyed flooring and furnishing showroom-cum-godown, constructed with a pucca wooden structure and GCI sheets. The premises were being used by New Express Jammu, Prevegia Logistics, and Chamba Manali Transport Company, Chandigarh, and were storing large quantities of cosmetics, paint thinner, hardware goods, kiryana items, medicines, kitchenware, blankets, tyres, carry bags, and other materials.
Officials said the fire also spread to 37 nearby residential sheds, constructed with wooden structures, tarpaulin, and GCI sheets, along with stored scrap material. The showroom-cum-godown and all flooring and furnishing items, including carpets, curtains, and other furnishings, were severely damaged in the incident.
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All 37 residential sheds, along with household goods stored inside, were completely damaged, while the wooden structure of the transport company suffered partial damage.
Several stored items, including paint thinner, medicines, kiryana goods, hardware items, blankets, and carry bags, were destroyed.
Additionally, a motorcycle bearing registration number JK05F-9233 was damaged in the fire.
The firefighting operation was headed by Deputy Director Fire and Emergency Services Dr. Mir Aqib Hussain and Mobilising Officer Aijaz Ahmad Shah, under the direct supervision of ADGP Fire and Emergency Services Alok Kumar.
During the operation, a fire tender (CH No. 3392) from Fire Station Rawalpora sustained damage after its front windshield was allegedly broken by locals upon reaching the spot.
Officials said that the cause of the fire is under investigation.
