Srinagar, Dec 12: Srinagar district witnessed over 472 fire distress calls, which resulted in eight injuries and the gutting of 284 structures until November 2023, official reports from the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) revealed.
As per data accessed by the news agency —Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the damaged property in these incidents is estimated to be worth crores of rupees.
The data highlighted the concerning frequency of fire-related emergencies in Srinagar, prompting the F&ES to intensify awareness efforts.
Speaking during an awareness-cum-award ceremony, Deputy Director F&ES Commandant Srinagar, Aqib Hussain Mir said the department is committed to educating the public on fire safety.
He said a campaign launched last year involved successful awareness programmes across various parts of the valley. “The primary objective of these initiatives is to inform people about fire safety measures, guide them on responding to incidents in their areas, and empower them to save lives,” he said. Understanding the Dos and Don’ts during a fire emergency is crucial, he added.
Despite the reduction in fire incidents compared to the previous year, the Deputy Director expressed hope that ongoing awareness programmes would further decrease the number of incidents.
He said there is an increase in the number of fire awareness programmes as directed by Alok Kumar, Director Fire & Emergency Services J&K.
—(KNO)
