Srinagar, Jan 10: As many as 65 people lost their lives while 21 suffered injuries in separate fire incidents in Kashmir valley in year 2021, officials said on Monday.
As per data revealed by Department of Fire & Emergency Kashmir, 1857 structures gutted in valley, which include 1483 residential houses, 304 shops, 55 vehicles and 50 commercial establishments. Moreover, 103 electrical transformers, 6 forest fires and 2 nursery fires were also reported.
The Srinagar district has reported more fire incidents as compared to any other district in Kashmir. As per the data, 311 structures, 58 shops, 15 complexes, 18 vehicles, and 28 electric transformers were damaged in the mishaps. Five people also lost their lives, and 12 others suffered injuries.
The north Kashmir district of Baramulla has reported the second-highest number of fire incidents. In this district, 235 structures, 101 shops, and 8 vehicles were gutted. Ten electric transformers were also damaged in the area.
Baramulla was followed by the neighbouring district of Kupwara, where 3 people lost their lives. 233 structures, 64 shops, 4 vehicles, 20 electric transformers were gutted, and one forest fire were reported.
The data also shows that south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has reported 24 fatalities, the highest in any district. 150 structures, 17 shops, six complexes, 9 vehicles, and 6 electricity transformers were damaged in the district.
The figures reveal that in the year 2019, 45 people lost their lives and eight people were injured. The year also saw damage to 1409 structures, 72 vehicles, and 46 shopping complexes, while 91 electric transformers were also damaged in the fire.
In 2020, 64 people died in fire-related incidents across the Valley while 1578 structures, 39 shopping complexes, and 73 vehicles were damaged in fire-related incidents.
The district-by-district status revealed that Bandipora and Budgam districts had reported no fire-related fatalities. These districts have reported damage to 89 and 84 structures.
Similarly, Shopian has reported 17 deaths related to fire incidents. It also reported damage to 74 structures, six vehicles, and eight shopping complexes. Ganderbal district has reported damage to 68 structures, 5 shops, and 7 vehicles, and one death. The Kulagam district reported the loss of 9 people and also reported damage to 84 structures, 11 shops, and 2 complexes.
As the officials of the F&ED department stated in the year 2021, they received 1929 calls, among which 14 were rescue calls, and an equal number of calls were false calls.
The department stated that property worth millions has been saved by the firemen.
The officials of the concerned department said the maximum numbers of fire incidents are being reported in the winter months due to the negligence of people. They stated that 90% of fire incidents are caused by short circuits.
“People are illegally hooking the electricity wire, which is getting heated and causing fire mishaps. Besides, they are creating hurdles while dousing the flames.”
Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Department Kashmir, Bashir Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that people are leaving their heating gadgets unattended, which often happens to be the cause of fire incidents.
He further said that people should avoid the use of gadgets during the night to avoid fire incidents.