Srinagar – Three residential houses were reduced to ashes after a massive fire broke out in the Ganpatyar area of Habbakadal on Sunday evening, triggering panic in the densely populated locality as firefighters battled the blaze for several hours.

Officials from the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Department said that soon after receiving the distress call, fire tenders from Gowkadal, Habbakadal, and Headquarters Command Srinagar were immediately rushed to the spot. Additional reinforcement from the Babademb Fire Station was also deployed to control the rapidly spreading flames.

Eyewitnesses said thick smoke and fire engulfed the houses within minutes, forcing residents to rush out in fear. The congested layout and narrow lanes of the old city hampered the firefighting operation, but

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