Over 60 fire incidents reported across Jammu region on Diwali night
Fire and Emergency Services responded to multiple blazes causing extensive damage to commercial properties during Diwali celebrations.
At least 64 fire incidents were reported across the Jammu region during Diwali celebrations, causing extensive damage to commercial assets, according to The Tribune on Monday. Of these, 53 incidents occurred between 5 pm on Sunday and 3 am, coinciding with the bursting of firecrackers.
Jammu district recorded the highest number of incidents, with officials reporting between 30 and 35 cases in the district. Major blazes included a fire at the historic Warehouse Nehru Market around 9.15 pm, where stocks of grocery items and edible oil fuelled the flames. Another significant fire occurred at Pahari Mohalla in a five-storey commercial building, while a blaze also affected the Janta Medical Store in Shalimar.
Other reported incidents included a fire at a marriage tent at Garden Estate and a hardware godown at Gangyal. In other districts, Samba and Kathua recorded 10 incidents, Doda nine, Udhampur and Reasi eight, Kishtwar three, the Rajouri-Poonch belt three, and Ramban one.
Warehouse Association President Deepak Gupta alleged that a delayed response by the Fire and Emergency Services Department allowed the Nehru Market blaze to spread, claiming only two engines arrived after an hour and a half. He demanded the suspension of concerned officials and threatened an indefinite strike.
Fire and Emergency Services officials maintained that the fire calls were attended to at the earliest. They stated that the simultaneous occurrence of multiple incidents placed heavy demands on manpower and equipment. The Jammu and Kashmir government has assured that the incident and the alleged delay in response will be investigated.