60 fire incidents reported across Jammu province in 24 hours; 35 in Jammu district alone, fire & emergency services deploy extensive resources

• Four major fire emergencies within hours, including devastating warehouse blaze; 18 fire tenders deployed at warehouse, seven shops damaged while adjoining establishments saved; Department dismisses allegations of 1.5-hour response delay, cites official records and CCTV footage

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Fire and Emergency Services responded to an exceptionally high number of fire emergencies during the last 24 hours, with as many as 60 fire incidents reported across Jammu Province, including 35 incidents in Jammu district alone, necessitating extensive mobilisation of firefighting personnel, vehicles and equipment amid the Diwali festive period.

The situation remained particularly challenging on the evening of November 8, when 16 fire incidents were reported in Jammu district within approximately five hours, beginning at 7 PM. Several major fire emergencies occurred at different locations within a short span of time, requiring simultaneous deployment of firefighting resources and putting considerable operational demands on the department.

According to an official press release issued by the Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services, J&K, the department had made advance arrangements in view of the Diwali celebrations by strategically deploying fire tenders at Gole Market, Gandhi Nagar and Gangyal to ensure prompt response to emergencies. Regular fire stations also remained fully operational and responded to the incidents reported across the district.

MAJOR WAREHOUSE FIRE AT 9:18 PM; 18 FIRE TENDERS MOBILISED, SEVEN SHOPS DAMAGED

One of the major emergencies was reported at 9:18 PM at a warehouse-cum-shopping premises containing grocery and ration items, including cooking oil and ghee.

Immediately after receiving the emergency call, firefighting resources from different fire stations and strategically deployed locations were mobilised. As many as 18 fire tenders were pressed into service to contain the blaze. Fire tenders stationed at Gole Market, Gandhi Nagar and Gangyal were also deployed to strengthen the firefighting operation.

According to the department, CCTV footage from the Smart City camera installed at Asian Hotel Crossing shows fire tenders proceeding towards the incident site at 9:38 PM. Three additional fire tenders reached the site within approximately ten minutes thereafter.

The massive firefighting operation brought the blaze under control within approximately one and a half hours, followed by extensive cooling operations to prevent any further spread or recurrence.

Approximately seven shops sustained fire damage, while a large number of adjoining shops were successfully saved from being engulfed by the flames.

The operation was carried out with the assistance and coordination of the Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and District Administration.

FOUR FIRE TENDERS RUSHED TO PAHARI MOHALLA BUILDING; FIRE CONTROLLED IN 45 MINUTES

Earlier, at 8:37 PM, another major fire was reported in a five-storeyed residential-cum-commercial building at Pahari Mohalla.

Immediately after receiving information, four fire tenders from Gandhi Nagar Fire Station and two from City Fire Station were mobilised. The fire tenders from City Fire Station reached the location at 8:44 PM.

Additional firefighting resources were subsequently deployed, taking the total number of fire tenders engaged in the operation to seven.

The blaze was brought under control within approximately 45 minutes, followed by cooling operations to ensure complete extinguishment and prevent its recurrence.

MARRIAGE TENT ENGULFED BY FIRE AT GARDEN ESTATE; EMERGENCY TEAMS REACH WITHIN 7–8 MINUTES

At 10:28 PM, another fire incident was reported at Garden Estate, where a marriage tent caught fire.

Four fire tenders from the nearest available locations were immediately mobilised and reached the site within approximately seven to eight minutes.

An additional fire tender from Bari Brahmana Fire Station was also dispatched as reinforcement.

The firefighting teams successfully brought the blaze under control within approximately half an hour, followed by cooling operations.

FIRE BREAKS OUT ON THIRD FLOOR OF JANTA MEDICAL STORE AT SHALIMAR

Subsequently, at 11:40 PM, a fire broke out on the third floor of Janta Medical Store, Shalimar, situated in a four-storeyed building.

Fire tenders from City Fire Station, along with additional firefighting units from other locations, were mobilised to tackle the emergency.

The first fire tender reached the site at 11:46 PM, followed by other firefighting units, taking the total deployment to five fire tenders.

The fire was brought under control within approximately half an hour, followed by cooling operations.

FIRE SERVICES REJECT ALLEGATIONS OF 1.5-HOUR DELAY IN REACHING WAREHOUSE FIRE SITE

Meanwhile, responding to certain social media posts alleging that Fire and Emergency Services took approximately one and a half hours to reach the warehouse fire incident, the department clarified that the allegation was not substantiated by its official deployment records and available CCTV footage.

According to the official clarification, the emergency call regarding the warehouse fire was received at 9:18 PM, while CCTV footage recorded at Asian Hotel Crossing shows fire tenders proceeding towards the incident site at 9:38 PM.

The department further stated that three additional fire tenders reached the site approximately within ten minutes thereafter.

The official records, it said, do not substantiate the allegation of a one-and-a-half-hour delay in the arrival of Fire and Emergency Services.

COORDINATED RESPONSE PREVENTS FURTHER SPREAD OF FIRES

Despite the unusually high number of fire incidents and multiple major emergencies occurring within a relatively short period, Fire and Emergency Services responded to all reported emergencies through extensive mobilisation of manpower and equipment.

The coordinated efforts of Fire and Emergency Services, Police, SDRF and the District Administration played a significant role in bringing the fires under control and preventing their further spread.

The department's advance deployment of fire tenders at strategic locations during the Diwali festive period also formed part of its emergency preparedness arrangements to strengthen response capabilities and ensure the availability of firefighting resources during a period of heightened fire risk.

The official press release was issued by the Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services, Jammu and Kashmir, on November 9, 2026.

Source: Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services, J&K, official press release dated November 9, 2026.