December 27, Kupwara, North Kashmir: This year, there have been 278 fire incidents in the frontier district of Kupwara, resulting in one person’s death and the damage of property valued at almost Rs 7 crore.
Four fighters were also wounded in 2023, according to official records that the news organization Kashmir News Service (KNS) was able to obtain.
Even with the 19 fire stations and 166 personnel of the J&K Fire and Emergency Services, operational challenges remain because of certain locations’ mountainous terrain and broken roads.
According to an official, the Fire and Emergency Department has a tough time organizing personnel and equipment to put out flames because of Kupwara’s challenging geography.
“The disregard for standard operating procedures by the public remains a primary contributor to such infernos, resulting in damage to life and property,” he continued. “The majority of fire incidents occur during the winter, which is exacerbated by dry weather conditions and the widespread use of electronic devices like heaters, oil-filled radiators, electric blankets, and gas heaters.”
The official said that the Fire Department has put in place a number of steps to reduce the number of fire accidents. One of these efforts is raising awareness about the need to use electrical devices carefully, especially during the winter.
He emphasized following SOPs and stressed the need to use electrical devices responsibly in order to avoid fire occurrences.
The official gave citizens advice on how to avoid unintentional fires by staying informed by routinely reading and heeding recommendations issued by relevant authorities.
