Massive Fire Engulfs Mosque and Homes in Anantnag, Kashmir

By A Staff Reporter — Anantnag, J&K: A massive fire erupted in the Khanabal area of South Kashmir's Anantnag district, engulfing several residential houses and a mosque, officials reported this afternoon. According to initial accounts, the fire is believed to have started in one of the residential properties, quickly spreading to adjacent homes and the mosque due to strong winds and close proximity of the structures.

Upon receiving the report, teams from the local police department and fire services arrived promptly on the scene, coordinating with residents to help control the spread of the blaze. Local residents formed a human chain to assist firefighters in reaching water sources and ensuring effective coordination. The quick actions of the combined teams were able to contain the fire, though the mosque and several homes sustained significant damage before the flames could be extinguished.

A police spokesperson confirmed that a case has been registered to investigate the cause of the fire, which remains unclear. Initial examinations are focusing on electrical wiring within the area, as well as potential fuel sources that could have intensified the blaze.

The incident has left the local community shaken, with many homes damaged and the mosque, a focal point for communal prayers, partially destroyed. Efforts to assess and repair the damage are expected to begin once the investigation concludes. This tragic incident underscores the need for fire safety measures, particularly in densely built areas of the valley where fire risks are compounded by closely packed structures.