• Late-night blaze leaves transporters devastated
• Victims seek government relief, probe underway
• Swift action averts major catastrophe: F&ES
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar: A massive late-night fire at the Kupwara Main Bus Stand on Wednesday left seven buses damaged, including three completely gutted, causing losses estimated at around ₹1 crore. The blaze broke out between 11:10 PM and 11:27 PM under mysterious circumstances, officials said.
Transporter Farooq Ahmad said he was alerted by a chowkidar and by the time fire services and police reached, three video coach buses were completely damaged while others were partially affected. The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation,” he said.
Raising concerns over infrastructure, he added, there are no fire tenders in the main town, and the response was delayed.
“Our insurance is third-party, which covers passengers, not the vehicles. We need immediate government relief,” he said.
Another affected transporter, Nazir Ahmad, said, they don’t know how the fire started, but three buses are completely destroyed. This is a huge loss, he added.
Kupwara Market President Isaac Wani termed the incident “unfortunate” and urged immediate assistance.
“Army, fire services and other agencies reached the spot, but the losses are severe. The government must help the affected families who are now left unemployed,” he said.
One of the worst-hit owners, Ali Mohammad Magray of Kandi Kupwara, said he had taken loans and sold land to purchase the bus.
“I had taken a loan of ₹10 lakh and sold two kanals of land. This was my only source of income. I appeal to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to provide financial assistance. After COVID-19, we were already struggling,” he said.
Magray said they felt completely helpless. These buses were their bread and butter. Watching them turn to ashes in front of our eyes was heartbreaking, he said.
“We earn day and night to feed our families. In a few minutes, everything was reduced to ashes. How will we survive now?”, Magray added.
Officials said buses bearing registration numbers JK02BL-2722, JK01BC-8916, and JK02C-9191 were completely damaged, while JK09D-5006 and JK05P-6881 were among those partially affected.
Naib Tehsildar Ayaz Ahmad said a damage assessment is underway and a report will be submitted to higher authorities.
According to the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES), at approximately 11:27 PM, a fire incident was reported to the district Fire Control Room Kupwara that a massive fire had broken out at the Kupwara Main Bus Stand. Upon arrival, fire personnel found that multiple buses were engulfed in flames.”
“Firefighting operations were immediately launched, and after several hours of sustained efforts, the fire was successfully brought under control. A total of seven buses were damaged, three severely, three partially, and one affected by heat and smoke,” it said.
Praising the response teams, the F&ES said their personnel demonstrated bravery and professionalism while dousing the flames and successfully prevented the fire from spreading further.
The operation was carried out under the overall supervision of ADGP F&ES Alok Kumar (IPS), with senior officers present on the ground.
“No loss of life or injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Further details will be shared as the investigation progresses,” the Fire and Emergency Services said in an official statement.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and helplessness as flames engulfed the buses.
“The fire spread within minutes. We were shouting and trying to help, but the flames were too intense. People were crying seeing their vehicles burn like this,” said Mohammad Aslam, a local shopkeeper.
Officials said buses bearing registration numbers JK02BL-2722, JK01BC-8916, and JK02C-9191 were completely damaged, while JK09D-5006 and JK05P-6881 were among those partially affected.
