Srinagar: Around two dozen houses were
gutted and over 500 livestock perished when a fire today broke
out in a village near the Line of Control (LoC) in Bandipora
district, official sources said.
The blaze started in a house in Baraub village of
Gurez sector, 150 kms from here, in the wee hours and spread
to adjoining houses, army spokesman said.
He said nearly two dozen houses were damaged in the
blaze which was brought under control following strenuous
effort by the Army.
Over 500 livestock, including goats, sheep, horses and
buffaloes were charred in the fire but no civilian casualty
was reported in the incident, the source added.
Gurez is currently cut off from rest of the Valley
because of heavy snowfall.
"The Army unit rushed as almost all three rows of 90
houses in the village were ablaze. All efforts initially were
concentrated on evacuating the trapped villagers," the
spokesman added.
He said while the villagers were busy retrieving their
belongings from the burning homes, the army continued its
relief operations unabated throughout the night till the
fire was completely doused by 5 AM today.
"Though the Army was successful in preventing loss to
human life, 350 goats and sheep, 45 horses and over 125
buffaloes perished," the spokesman said.
PTI
