Massive Blaze Guts Residential Houses in Srinagar’s Nowhatta

Srinagar, Feb 6:

A massive fire broke out in the densely populated Syedpora area of Nowhatta in Old City Srinagar early Friday morning, leaving several families distraught as their homes were severely damaged.

The incident occurred in the early hours of February 6, 2026, when flames were seen leaping from one of the residential structures. Due to the proximity of the buildings in the congested neighborhood, the fire spread rapidly before emergency services could arrive.

Emergency Response & Containment

Upon receiving the alert, teams from the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) along with the Srinagar Police rushed to the spot.

• The Operation: Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours to prevent it from jumping to adjacent blocks.

• Current Status: Officials have confirmed that the fire is now under control.

• Cooling Phase: Personnel are currently conducting “cooling operations”—dousing remaining embers to ensure the fire does not reignite.

Loss and Damage Assessment

While a formal report is still being compiled, preliminary reports from the ground indicate significant property loss.

An official from the news agency KNC stated that an assessment is currently underway to determine the exact extent of the financial and structural losses.

Community in Shock

Local residents, who were awoken by the screams and heat of the blaze, assisted the authorities in the initial stages of the firefighting efforts. The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of the old city’s wooden structures and narrow lanes to fire hazards, especially during the winter months.

“Our priority was to ensure no one was trapped inside. The houses are close together here, so the risk was immense,” said a local volunteer who helped during the rescue.

Further details are awaited as the administration begins the process of identifying affected families for relief.