Three residential houses were gutted while two firefighters were injured while trying to douse flames in the congested Nawa Kadal area of Srinagar on Sunday.
The three houses caught fire in a congested locality in Nawa Kadal area.
Official said that when fire tenders were rushed to the spot to bring fire under control, an LPG cylinder exploded in one of the houses, injuring two firefighters.
The injured personnel were rushed to the SMHS Hospital from where one of them was referred to Bone and Joints Hospital, Barzulla while the other was discharged after receiving medical aid, they said.
“There were at least 20 to 25 adjoining houses, which could have been engulfed in the fire but the timely action of the Fire and Emergency Service (F&ES) personnel helped contain the fire in the wooded attic portion of the two houses and didn’t allow it to spread,” a statement of F&ES issued here said.
“The Fire and Emergency Service (F&ES) personnel responded immediately and swung into action. They were able to contain the fire, with the help of local youth and Police,” the F&ES statement said.
Taking note of action by F&ES personnel, Director General F&ES B Srinivas announced cash reward and commendation certificates in favour of the first responders and assured that whenever such swift and appreciable action is taken, F&ES personnel would be suitably rewarded.
The F&ES Department appealed the people to take adequate precautions during winter months that witness increase in fire incidents as people use various heating devices in the freezing temperatures.