Associated News Bureau

Two Scrap Collectors Die as Massive Fire Destroys 80 Makeshift Shelters in Bemina

ANB NEWS NETWORK Srinagar, November 4: Two persons lost their lives after a massive fire engulfed around 80 makeshift shelters in the Durbal area of Bemina, Srinagar, during the intervening night of November 3 and 4, officials said. According to officials, the fire broke out at approximately 12:23 am, rapidly spreading across the area and reducing nearly 80 temporary shelters, largely constructed of tarpaulin and wood, to ashes. An unoccupied poultry farm and a tipper were also damaged in the incident. Fire tenders from Fire Stations JVC and Rawalpora, supported by additional firefighting teams from the Fire and Emergency Services Headquarters at Batamaloo, were immediately pressed into service to contain the blaze. Officials said the fire had spread across a considerable portion of the area before firefighting teams were called in to tackle the situation. After the flames were brought under control, two bodies were recovered from the debris of the gutted shelters. The deceased were identified as Mohd Noor Alam (27), son of Abdal Wahab, originally from Delhi and presently residing at Durbal, and Al Ameen (16), son of Mohd Rafi, originally from Delhi and presently residing in Kupwara. Both were reportedly engaged in scrap collection work in the Durbal area. The bodies were handed over to the local police following the completion of formalities, including proceedings by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).