Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 5: The Jal Shakti Department building in Saloora area of Ganderbal district was engulfed in a destructive fire that began this afternoon.
Eyewitnesses said smoke emerged from the building around 12:30 PM, which rapidly intensified into a fierce blaze within 10-15 minutes. Local residents initially attempted to contain the flames, but the fire was only brought under control after firefighters from the Fire and Emergency Department arrived. Click here to watch video
Ghulam Hassan Wani, overseeing the firefighting operation, said they received a distress call at 12:40 PM regarding the fire at the Jal Shakti department building.
“Upon arrival, the fire had already engulfed the entire structure,” he said. He praised the community for their assistance, noting their crucial support in managing the blaze alongside firefighters.
Amid rescue efforts, four firefighters inhaled smoke lost consciousness. Local residents assisted in transporting them to the hospital.
Ghulam attributed their condition to smoke suffocation, with two firefighters recovering quickly. He mentioned that an initial assessment indicated significant losses, including damage to pipes and bleaching powder. “We are still evaluating the full extent of the damage,” he said.
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