Residents, traders call for fire station in scenic tourist destination, authorities assure support
SONAMARG: A devastating fire swept through the heart of Sonamarg’s bustling market on Saturday evening, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in its wake. Forty-five shops and hotels, the lifeblood of this popular tourist destination Sonamarg, were reduced to ashes, impacting countless livelihoods and casting a pall over the scenic area.
The fire began at Hotel Sounsar and Restaurant and quickly spread to neighbouring establishments, fueled by the dry evening air.
Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos and terror as flames engulfed the market area, describing the scene as “apocalyptic. While the material damage is immense, the swift evacuation efforts ensured that, miraculously, no lives were lost and no injuries were reported.
The destruction, however, is catastrophic for the shopkeepers and residents who depend on the tourism industry. The fire has dealt a severe blow to their livelihoods, with losses estimated to be in crores. Many business owners watched helplessly as their shops, built with years of hard work, were consumed by the flames.
This tragedy has reignited a long-standing and urgent plea for a permanent fire station in Sonamarg. For over a decade, local residents and business owners have implored authorities to establish adequate firefighting infrastructure in the area, but their calls have gone unanswered. The absence of a dedicated fire service has contributed to the scale of the devastation. Now, more than ever, the residents hoteliers and other business community are demanding immediate action, emphasising that a fire station is crucial to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In the aftermath of the fire, higher officials, including the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, MLA Kangan, DC Ganderbal, SSP Ganderbal, SDM Kangan and Tehsildar Gund, visited Sonamarg to assess the damage and speak with the affected shopkeepers and hoteliers.
The officials offered assurances of full support from the government to help the victims rebuild their lives and businesses. An investigation has also been launched to determine the cause of the fire. While the promises of support offer some solace, the road to recovery for the Sonamarg market and its community will undoubtedly be long and arduous.