JAMMU :As many as *64 fire incidents* were reported across Jammu region during the Diwali celebrations, causing extensive damage to commercial properties and other assets, officials said on Monday.
Jammu district accounted for the highest number of *30 incidents*, including at the historic *Warehouse Nehru Market* in the heart of the city, the officials of the Fire and Emergency Services said.
*Timing Of Incidents:*
Of the 64 incidents, *11 were reported till 5 pm on Sunday*, while the remaining *53 occurred between 5 pm and 3 am*, coinciding with Diwali celebrations and widespread bursting of firecrackers, officials said.
*District Wise Breakup:*
- *Jammu - 30*
- *Samba and Kathua together - 10* including one at district police lines Kathua
- *Doda - 9*
- *Udhampur and Reasi - 8*
- *Kishtwar - 3*
- *Rajouri-Poonch belt - 3*
- *Ramban - 1*
*Major Fire Incidents In Jammu:*
Among the major incidents, *four devastating fires* were reported in Jammu district:
1. *Pahari Mohalla:* A *five-storey commercial building* housing cloth, footwear shops and a basement was gutted.
2. *Shalimar:* Blaze damaging *third and fourth floor of a five-storey medical store building.*
3. *Gangyal:* A *hardware godown* at Gangyal was also affected.
4. *Warehouse Nehru Market - Most Devastating:* A massive fire broke out *around 9.15 pm on Sunday night*, engulfing several shops. The market, one of the oldest commercial hubs of Jammu, is known for its wholesale trade in foodgrains, edible oil, essential commodities and other daily-use items.
Officials said the fire reportedly originated in one of the shops and spread rapidly to adjoining establishments, with the presence of large quantities of edible oil adding to the intensity of the blaze.
Fire tenders from different stations across Jammu city were rushed to the spot, and firefighters launched a coordinated operation to contain the flames. The closely packed shops and warehouses posed a major challenge to the firefighting teams which managed to put off the fire by midnight. Two fire tenders are still at the scene and a detailed report about the damage was awaited.
*Association Alleges Delayed Response:*
Warehouse Association President *Deepak Gupta* alleged that a delayed response by the Fire and Emergency Services Department allowed the blaze to spread.
"What started as a small fire has engulfed around *15 shops*...this is a complete failure and gross negligence on the part of the fire brigade. Despite the fire station being barely five minutes away, only two fire engines arrived after an hour and a half," he alleged.
He demanded accountability for the delay, including suspension of officials concerned. He also threatened an *indefinite strike* if the demand was not met.
*Fire Department's Version:*
However, officials maintained that the fire call was attended to at the earliest possible, with two fire tenders from the nearest station immediately rushed to the spot, while additional fire tenders were mobilised from other stations to support operation.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel were hard-pressed to respond to large number of fire incidents reported simultaneously at different locations across Jammu region during Diwali night. With multiple calls being received within short span, firefighting teams were mobilised from various stations and rushed to affected areas. Despite challenging circumstances, firefighters responded promptly and worked through night to bring several fires under control.
Officials said personnel and fire tenders were deployed in large numbers at affected locations, while efforts were made to minimise further damage.
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