16 Indian army Barracks reduced to ashes due to fire accident

Source: Defence Barta

A major fire swept across the Indian Army’s 45 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) camp along the Line of Control (LoC) reducing around 16 of its barracks to ashes at Machil sector in Kupwara district of North Kashmir.

The incident occurred in the afternoon when smoke started billowing inside the camp of 45 RR at Dudhi area of Machil sector along the LoC. Huge flames immediately leaped in the air as the fire spread to several barracks reducing the structures to ashes.

Police said around 16 barracks, mostly made of wood, were reduced to ashes within hours.

“A fire incident took place in Machil sector at 2 pm today. The fire was brought under control. Some damage to property took place. However, there is no loss of life. Cause of the fire is being ascertained”, said Colonel Rajesh Kalia, defense spokesman at Srinagar.

Watch: Future Induction of IAF

Watch: India Develops Anti-Submarine Rocket with an extended range of 8.5 kilometer

The camp is located at a strategic location given that Machil is one of the routes for infiltration from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Three militants were killed when army foiled an infiltration bid in Machil sector on June 6. Two of the three militants killed in Machil sector later turned out to be Kashmiris who had traveled to Pakistan on valid travel documents.

The army is trying to ascertain the losses caused by the fire. “We are assessing the losses caused by the fire. The process has started to figure out the damages caused by the fire”, said an officer.

The police said the fire has most probably been caused either by the shot circuit or the Kerosene stove. “Since there were wooden structures in the camp the fire spread quickly. Around 20 structures were damaged including four of the Power Development Department.

There is no loss of life. It seems the fire was most probably caused either by shot circuit or Kerosene stove”, said Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kupwara.

Police said the situation has been brought under control and only the wooden structures have been damaged. “Everything has been brought under control. There is nothing to worry”, said Shriram.