Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, expressed deep grief over the devastating fire incidents in Srinagar.

According to Kashmir Media Service, a fire in Shahampora, near the historic Jamia Masjid, gutted 12 residential houses, leaving several families homeless in harsh winter conditions. Another blaze in Chattabal area also destroyed many houses.

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Addressing a gathering at the Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz said that such incidents rise during winter in the Kashmir Valley, causing immense suffering to people. He stressed that the concerned departments must be better prepared to deal with such emergencies in densely populated areas. Referring to Shahampora incident, he noted that the fire brigades reportedly ran out of water and many fire hydrants in the locality were found to be non-functional, forcing firefighters to draw from the fountain of Jamia Masjid to control the blaze.

Mirwaiz visited the affected area, met victims, and assured them of all possible support. He urged authorities to take immediate cognizance of this mishap and that in Chattabal area. He also appealed to the public to come forward and extend all help to the affected families to rebuild their homes.