Onlykashmir.in News Desk
As many as 64 fire incidents were reported across the Jammu region during Diwali celebrations, with Jammu district alone accounting for 30 cases, officials said.
The historic Warehouse Nehru Market was among the worst-hit areas, where a massive blaze damaged several commercial establishments and caused substantial losses to traders. Fires were also reported from Pahari Mohalla, Shalimar and Gangyal, keeping Fire and Emergency Services teams busy throughout the night.
Firefighters worked through the night to contain the blazes and stop them from spreading to adjoining structures, particularly in densely populated commercial areas.
The major fire at Warehouse Nehru Market raised concern among traders. The Warehouse Association alleged that the firefighting response was delayed and that the initial response was inadequate to contain the blaze. Officials disputed the allegations, maintaining that teams were dispatched promptly after information about the incidents was received. They said additional fire tenders were also mobilised from other stations to strengthen the response.
The contrasting accounts have brought the preparedness and emergency response of the Fire and Emergency Services under scrutiny, particularly given the concentration of commercial establishments and combustible goods in Jammu’s busy markets. The extent of damage from the individual incidents and the overall financial losses suffered by traders were yet to be fully assessed.
Diwali brings a surge in fire risk, with firecrackers, lamps and decorative lighting in use across homes and markets. Emergency services across the country typically report a sharp rise in calls on the festival night, and the number recorded in the Jammu region reflects that pattern. In congested commercial areas, however, a single blaze can cause far greater damage because of closely packed shops and stored goods.
The incident at Nehru Market has already drawn political attention, with the Leader of Opposition visiting the site on Monday and demanding additional compact fire tenders and a separate site for warehouses. Traders, for their part, are expected to press for a transparent assessment of losses and for compensation.
An inquiry into the response time and the causes of the major fires may be sought by traders’ bodies and political parties. For now, officials have said the response was prompt, and the competing claims will need to be examined once the damage assessment is complete.
