Bandipora Youth Brave Flames to Save Market

Sheeba Haji

Bandipora, Feb 26: A major tragedy was averted in the congested commercial hub of Bandipora in North Kashmir on Thursday morning as local youth risked their lives to act as first responders, helping firefighters to stop fire from spreading to other commercial complexes.

      The fire, which broke out soon after Fajr Prayers, sent towering plumes of smoke into the sky, triggering panic among residents.

About 29 shops in the three-storied complex were damaged in the inferno while firefighters with the help of youth were successful in restricting the fire within two fire gaps and didn’t allow it to spread further.

“As soon as people, mostly youngsters, reached the spot, they began rescue operations, first evacuating as many valuable items from the shops as they could,” eye witnesses told Kashmir Convener.

They said while the Fire tenders rushed to the spot, they were met by an army of young locals who had already begun rescue operations.

“They put their own lives at risk to control this fire. By the time the fire tenders arrived, the local boys were already on the frontlines, forming human chains to haul out highly flammable gas cylinders and salvage goods from the burning structures,” said Ali Mohammad Hajam, President Traders Federation Bandipora.

“Early Morning today, I saw Young Boys drenched in freezing water, hands shivering and bodies trembling with cold, yet tirelessly carrying goods of shopkeepers to safety and assisting firefighters with the heavy hose pipes to douse the rising flames,” an eyewitness told Kashmir Convener.

      According to witnesses, the swift and selfless action of these civilians was crucial in preventing the inferno from spreading to adjacent buildings, which could have led to a far greater loss of property.

Fire department officials confirmed that the efforts of the public significantly aided their operations. “The help and efforts of the youth here stopped the fire from leaping to adjoining buildings. Their synergy with firefighting teams saved the rest of the market from total destruction,” said Shamshaad Ahmad, former president of traders federation.

      Witnesses described scenes of chaos turning into courage, with young men darting in and out of the danger zone with utter disregard for their personal safety.

      Senior citizens of the area expressed profound pride in the younger generation’s response to the crisis.

“Today, I want to thank the youth of Bandipora profusely. They realized that someone’s home was burning and did not sit silently. It is because of these young boys that the entire market was saved,” an elderly resident told Kashmir Convener and thanked them for their heroic act of courage.