The tragic fire incident at Durbal in Bemina, Srinagar, has once again exposed the vulnerability of temporary settlements to fire hazards. Two persons lost their lives after a massive blaze engulfed around 80 makeshift shelters during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. The shelters, mostly made of tarpaulin and wood, caught fire rapidly, leaving little time for occupants to escape. An empty poultry farm and a tipper were also damaged. The loss of two precious lives makes the incident particularly distressing. What makes the incident more concerning is that it is not an isolated case. Kashmir has witnessed several major fire incidents in recent days. On October 29, around 17 temporary tents and a paint and hardware godown were gutted in a fire at Gorteng Narkara in Budgam. A day later, around 15 to 20 temporary residential sheds were destroyed in a blaze at Lasjan in Srinagar. Earlier, a fire in Watal Kadal in August damaged at least seven houses. In February, around 10 residential houses were gutted in a fire at Chattabal. These incidents underline the continuing threat posed by fires in residential clusters and temporary settlements. The Bemina incident also raises questions about the safety arrangements in such settlements. Temporary shelters are often constructed with highly inflammable materials. When placed close to one another, a small fire can quickly turn into a major disaster. People living in these structures are particularly vulnerable because they may not have access to basic safety equipment, proper electrical installations or clear evacuation routes. The timing of the latest incident is another matter of concern. The fire broke out shortly after midnight, when most occupants would have been asleep. By the time the Fire and Emergency Services received information, the entire area had reportedly been engulfed by flames. This highlights the importance of early warning systems and immediate reporting. Even a few minutes can make a difference between containing a fire and witnessing widespread destruction. Fire and Emergency Services personnel deserve appreciation for their efforts in controlling such incidents. Prevention must receive equal attention. The administration needs to identify vulnerable settlements, particularly clusters of temporary shelters, labour camps, storage facilities and densely populated localities. Regular inspections should be conducted to identify unsafe electrical connections, cooking arrangements and the storage of inflammable materials. Basic fire safety measures must also be introduced. These include fire extinguishers, accessible water points, emergency exits and adequate space between temporary structures. Residents should be made aware of precautions and emergency procedures. Local authorities must ensure that fire tenders can reach vulnerable areas without obstruction. Quick access to these settlements is essential for an effective response. There is also a need to examine whether the existing firefighting infrastructure is adequate to deal with emergencies in expanding urban areas. The availability of equipment, trained personnel, water sources and strategically located fire stations should be reviewed. Community-level awareness programmes can further help people respond quickly when a fire breaks out. Preparedness and timely intervention are essential to avoid further tragedies.
Fire Safety
