Kupwara, Jan 11 — A massive overnight fire tore through Kandi village in Karnah sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, destroying three residential houses and a cowshed, while an 80-year-old man died after collapsing on seeing his son’s home reduced to ashes, officials said on Sunday.
“The fire broke out during the intervening night of January 10 and 11 and quickly spread to nearby structures,” an official said.
“Three houses and a cowshed were completely gutted before the blaze could be controlled.”
Abdul Majeed Qurashi (80), father of one of the affected families, collapsed after witnessing the devastation. “He was rushed to Sub-District Hospital Tangdar, where doctors declared him brought dead,” an official said, adding that he is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest due to shock.
Fire tenders from Tangdar, assisted by the police, Army personnel and local residents, doused the flames after a prolonged operation.
“The cause of the fire is suspected to be an electric short circuit,” the official said. “A detailed assessment of the losses is being carried out.”
The houses belonged to Khalid Ahmad Qurashi, Danish Ahmad Qurashi and Farooq Ahmad Qurashi, all residents of Kandi Karnah. A cowshed owned by Danish Ahmad Qurashi was also destroyed, killing four cattle, officials added.
