Kishtwar, Jan 14: Four members of a family were charred to death and 10 houses completed gutted in a devastating fire incident at remote Kadailorligu village in Paddar belt of Kishtwar district last night.
The dead have been identified as Chamail Singh, his wife Sunita Devi, four-year old son Mahendar Singh and six-year old daughter Sharmali. His other daughter Urmila Devi sustained grievous burn injuries in the incident.
Reports reaching here revealed that the fire started in the house of Chamail Singh around last midnight and it soon engulfed the enjoying mud houses. “Strong wind blowing in the area helped the flames to spread and within no time around 10 mud houses were reduced to ashes”, Lekh Raj, Sarpanch of the area, told Greater Kashmir over phone.
The Sarpanch said that around one dozen cattle heads have also perished in the fire incident.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Muhammad Hussain Malik said that a rescue team was immediately dispatched to the area along with relief material. “There was a bonfire to celebrate Lohri in the village, which is believed to be the cause of the fire,” he said.
The relief and rescue team, he said, had to trek on foot for five hours to reach the village. “We have sent the relief material and every possible help will be provided to the victims. 50 kg rice per family, sugar, blankets and utensils have been dispatched for the affected people”, Malik said.
However, officials said that the rescue people carrying relief material are facing lot of problems due to bad weather conditions and remoteness of the area.
“The nearest link road is about five hour trek from the area and there is heavy snowfall. Affected people may face problems during the night hours till the administration makes any alternate arrangement for them”, an official said.
He said that the victims may be shifted to Atholi tehsil headquarters in view of the damage to their homes, till an arrangement is made for their stay in their village.
Governor N. N. Vohra, expressing grief over the loss of life and property in the fire incident, has called upon the District and Divisional Administration to provide all necessary assistance to the affected family.
In a message, the Governor expressed his sympathy with the bereaved family. He prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the fire incident, describing it most un-fortunate and painful. In a condolence message, the Chief Minister has conveyed his solidarity and sympathy with the next of kin of the deceased.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00 IST