Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 15: A devastating fire broke out this afternoon in Kool Kalan Village of Arnia area, possibly due to an electrical short circuit, engulfing two huts belonging to the Gujjar community.
Sources said the fire that started around 1 Pm gutted the houses of Farooq Hussain and Rasheed Hussain sons of Joor Hussain of Kool Kalan.
Soon after getting the information, the fire fighting team from the Department of Fire Control managed to contain the fire, but not before the homes was reduced to ashes along with all the belongings, they said.
Despite immediate efforts by locals, the blaze intensified due to strong winds and heat, added sources.
They said the family members trapped inside the hutments had a narrow escape.
Speaking with media persons, Farooq Hussain reported significant financial losses, amounting to lakhs of rupees.
Meanwhile, former Sarpanch of the area Gurdeep Singh Saini has urged the Government and local administration to provide timely assistance to the affected families, emphasizing their need for shelter and food supplies.
He called for an immediate assessment of the losses and appropriate compensation.
Saini also informed the Deputy Commissioner Jammu and the SDM of RS Pura about the impoverished status of the Gujjar community and the significant losses incurred in the devastating fire.
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