Mohammad Hanief
Substandard electric blankets and heaters have emerged as silent ignition sources. Widely sold in local markets, many lack basic safety features such as automatic cut-offs. Prolonged overnight use turns bedrooms into high-risk zones. Several recent fires are believed to have started while families slept, unaware of the danger.
A massive fire that broke out in a scrap yard and an adjoining carpet godown in the Tengpora area of Srinagar on Tuesday has once again drawn attention to a growing and deeply worrying trend across the Kashmir Valley this winter. The fire erupted in a densely populated slum locality where large quantities of scrap material were stored for onward transportation to recycling factories. Within minutes, the flames spread to a nearby carpet godown, sending thick clouds of smoke across the neighbourhood and triggering panic among residents.
Although no loss of life was reported, the damage to property was extensive. Goods worth several lakhs of rupees were destroyed. Firefighters later described the incident as a narrow escape, noting that several fuel tankers parked on an adjacent plot of land remained untouched by the flames. Had the fire reached those tankers, the consequences could have been catastrophic, potentially resulting in explosions and large-scale loss of life. Dozens of fire tenders were rushed to the site, and firefighting operations continued for several hours before the blaze was finally brought under control. The cause of the fire has not yet been officially determined.
The Tengpora blaze is not an isolated incident. It is part of a troubling pattern that has emerged across Kashmir during the ongoing winter season. As the Valley continues to experience prolonged cold wave conditions, with night temperatures frequently dipping below freezing, fire and emergency services have remained on constant alert. In recent weeks, firefighters have been responding to multiple incidents almost every day, underscoring the scale and seriousness of the challenge.
Fire service records point to a sustained surge in incidents across the Kashmir Division. On several days, between seven and eleven fire calls have been reported within a single 24-hour period. Srinagar has accounted for a significant number of these cases, particularly in older and congested neighbourhoods. However, north and south Kashmir districts have also witnessed repeated fire emergencies, indicating that the problem is widespread rather than confined to urban centres alone. The growing frequency of incidents has stretched response capabilities and exposed longstanding weaknesses in infrastructure and preparedness.
One of the most severe recent residential fires occurred in the Umar Colony area of Lal Bazar in Srinagar. A multi-storey residential house was completely gutted late at night, leaving occupants traumatised and homeless. While firefighters succeeded in preventing the flames from spreading to neighbouring structures, the incident once again highlighted familiar challenges. Narrow access lanes delayed the movement of fire tenders. Limited water availability hampered firefighting efforts. These conditions are common in many parts of the city and significantly increase the risk of rapid fire spread.
Earlier this winter, a major fire in the Khanyar area of Nowpora damaged several adjoining houses and left multiple families without shelter at the coldest time of the year. Although no casualties were reported, the loss of household goods, winter clothing, bedding and personal belongings imposed severe hardship. For many affected families, recovery has been slow and uncertain, reflecting the limited financial support and institutional assistance available in the aftermath of such disasters.
Fire incidents have not been limited to urban localities. Rural areas have also faced serious threats. In north Kashmir’s Handwara region, a fire that broke out in a cowshed in the densely populated Chottipura Mohalla quickly threatened nearby residential houses. Preliminary reports suggested that the fire was triggered by an electrical fault near a power pole, a factor that has appeared repeatedly in investigations of recent incidents. Timely intervention by local residents, along with assistance from security personnel, helped prevent the fire from spreading further.
Even non-residential and secured facilities have not been spared. In Srinagar, a late-night fire at Central Reserve Police Force barracks and adjoining store rooms caused extensive damage to property. The incident reinforced growing concerns that high electrical loads and ageing infrastructure pose serious risks even within institutional premises during winter months.
The underlying causes behind the surge in winter fire incidents are largely consistent and well documented. The severe cold has forced households to rely heavily on electric heaters, blowers, cooking stoves and electric blankets. This sudden and sustained increase in electricity consumption places immense strain on domestic electrical systems. Fire officials say that a majority of recent incidents have been linked to electrical short circuits, often originating from overloaded sockets, damaged wiring or uncertified heating appliances.
Substandard electric blankets have emerged as a particularly serious concern. Such products are widely sold in local markets, often at low prices, but many lack basic safety features such as automatic cut-off mechanisms. Prolonged overnight use, especially in homes with outdated wiring, has turned these blankets into frequent ignition sources. Several residential fires in recent weeks are believed to have started in bedrooms during late-night hours, when occupants were asleep and unaware of the danger.
Ageing electrical infrastructure across the Valley further compounds the risk. In many older neighbourhoods, wiring systems installed decades ago are incapable of handling current electricity demand. This problem is especially acute in congested localities where houses are built close together. In such settings, a single spark can quickly escalate into a major blaze, endangering entire clusters of homes.
Firefighting operations themselves continue to face serious structural and logistical challenges. Narrow roads, illegal encroachments and unauthorised constructions frequently obstruct the movement of fire tenders. Fire crews are often forced to stretch hoses over long distances or rely on portable equipment, delaying effective intervention. In several areas, water scarcity further hampers firefighting efforts, prolonging response times and increasing the extent of damage.
The human and economic costs of this winter fire surge have been significant. Families affected by residential fires often lose not only their homes but also their savings and essential winter supplies. Displacement during freezing conditions adds another layer of suffering. For small traders and shop owners, fire damage can wipe out years of hard-earned investment, especially as insurance coverage remains limited or entirely absent for many.
Beyond material losses, the psychological impact has been profound. Repeated fire incidents have heightened anxiety among residents, particularly in densely populated neighbourhoods with limited evacuation options. Night-time evacuations, the constant smell of smoke and the fear of losing one’s home have left deep emotional scars, especially among children and elderly residents.
Authorities have repeatedly urged the public to follow basic fire safety measures. These include regular inspection of electrical wiring, cautious use of heating appliances and immediate reporting of fire incidents. Fire and emergency officials have stressed the importance of switching off heaters and electric blankets when not in use and avoiding the use of multiple high-load devices on a single electrical connection.
However, experts warn that advisories alone are not enough. Preventive measures must be institutionalised. Routine electrical safety audits, stricter enforcement against the sale of unsafe heating devices and firm action against commercial operations functioning illegally in residential areas are urgently needed. The Tengpora fire has once again exposed the dangers posed by such violations.
Urban planning and infrastructure upgrades are equally critical. Stronger enforcement of building codes, the creation of dedicated emergency access routes, installation of functional fire hydrants and expansion of fire service infrastructure could significantly improve response capacity. In rural areas, better access to water sources and basic firefighting equipment could help contain fires before they spiral out of control.
Community participation has played a vital role in limiting damage in several recent incidents. Neighbours, volunteers and local youth have often assisted firefighters and helped evacuate families. While this reflects social resilience, it also highlights gaps in formal emergency preparedness that demand urgent policy attention.
As Kashmir continues to endure extreme winter conditions, the risk of further fire incidents remains high. Electricity demand shows no signs of easing, and ageing infrastructure remains under relentless strain. Without coordinated preventive action, the current pattern of winter fires risks becoming a recurring seasonal crisis.
The ongoing surge in fire incidents is a stark reminder that fire safety is not merely an emergency response issue. It is closely linked to urban planning, regulation, infrastructure investment and public awareness. Addressing it will require sustained effort, effective governance and collective responsibility. As the Valley navigates another harsh winter, reducing the toll of fire-related disasters must become an urgent and shared priority.
The author is a senior analyst and can be mailed at m.hanief@gmail.com
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