REASI, DECEMBER 17: A devastating fire engulfed the shops in Paghiala, Gulabgarh, leaving the local community in shock. The incident resulted in the complete destruction of several shops and vehicles, causing immense financial losses to families from Paghiala, Gulabgarh, and Baransal who depended on these for their livelihoods.
Despite the prompt arrival of the police at the scene, the fire rapidly spread and reduced everything to ashes as most of the structures were made of wood and dried grass. The presence of gas cylinders in some shops further escalated the damage as they exploded after the fire started, making it impossible to control the flames in time.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire might have been triggered by an electric short circuit, but the exact cause is still under investigation.
Vice Chairperson of the District Development Council (DDC) Reasi, Adv. Sajra Qadir, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and assessed the damage from locals. “This unfortunate incident has left many families devastated. I assure the victims of my full support and commitment to ensuring they receive immediate relief and assistance to rebuild their lives,” she said.
Adv. Sajra Qadir is actively coordinating with the district administration to provide compensation to the affected families and expedite rehabilitation measures. She emphasized that efforts will be made to reconstruct the damaged shops and ensure financial aid reaches the victims promptly.
Highlighting the need to prevent similar incidents in the future, she stated, “This tragedy underscores the importance of safety measures in vulnerable areas. We will work towards creating awareness about fire safety protocols and conducting regular inspections to ensure the safety of structures in such regions.”
The Vice Chairperson praised the timely response of the police and the locals there but acknowledged the challenges posed by the wooden and dried-grass structures. She also urged the community to remain vigilant and adopt precautionary measures to minimize risks.
Adv. Sajra Qadir appealed to the local community to come together in this time of need and extend their support to those who have suffered losses. “Our collective efforts can help the affected families recover from this tragedy and rebuild their lives with dignity,” she added.
