F&ES averts major damage after fire engulfs MLA hostel in Srinagar

Srinagar: A major tragedy was averted by the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) officials on Tuesday after the fire engulfed the MLA Hostel in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar, creating panic in the area.
An official said that the F&ES received an emergency call at exactly 11:51 AM, and upon reaching the site, the teams found that the fire had engulfed parts of the four-story MLA Hostel.
He said the firefighting team worked efficiently to bring the situation under control within 30 minutes.
“Three to four rooms in the building were damaged but fortunately, these rooms were vacant at the time of the incident, preventing any loss of life or injuries,” the official said.
He said the cause of the fire is being ascertained, although preliminary reports suggest that it may have broken out due to an electrical short circuit. The timely intervention from authorities prevented the blaze from escalating further, he said.
Similarly, this incident comes amidst a series of fire-related incidents in the Valley, raising concerns about fire safety standards, while officials have urged the residents to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols.
“The residents should need to keep a check on electrical wiring and avoid storing flammable materials in one place, particularly during the winter months when the risk of such incidents increases,” said the official.