Troops save Kashmir hamlet from being reduced to ashes

Srinagar, May 3 (UNI) The Army today claimed to have saved an entire village in Kupwara district of north Kashmir from a devastating fire on tuesday.

A defence spokesman said the fire broke out in the house of Ali Mohammad Najar, a resident of Lunahare in Kupwara district, at 1930 hrs on tuesday.

The cause of the fire was believed to be leakage of cooking gas, he added.

Troops from the nearest Army unit took swift action and marshaled all resources at their disposal to quell the fire the spokesman said adding that they immediately rushed to the aid of the family whose house had caught fire.

Troops and fire brigade personnel efficiently prevented the fire from spreading further and the timely action saved the entire village from being reduced to ashes, he said.

The fire fighting lasted for almost five hours, the spokesman said, adding the Commanding Officer of the unit personally supervised the operation. Troops also evacuated all the 22 people living in the house, he said.

Despite the raging fire, the troops also salvaged certain household goods of the distressed family.

The tragic incident left Najar's family without shelter, food or clothes, but the Army gave tents and ration to help them in their hour of need, he said.

UNI