Fire Destroys Residential House in Poonch; Cause Being Probed
A residential house in the Mandi tehsil of Poonch district was destroyed by a fire during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, according to police sources. The house, located in Panchayat Chhol of the Sawjian-Gagrian area, was completely gutted in the blaze.
Police sources identified the owner as Saif Din. Another account, by the Daily Excelsior, describes him as son of Habibullah, while police sources quoted by Greater Kashmir say his father's name is Habiba Lone. The property was a four-storey structure in the Aartrand Chool, ward number 7 area of Mandi tehsil, as reported by Daily Excelsior.
At the time of the fire, the residents were not at home; they had gone to a nearby hamlet, per official sources. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Response Efforts
Upon receiving information, a police team led by the Sawjian Police Post In-charge, along with local residents, made strenuous efforts to control the blaze. The army also attempted to bring the fire under control, according to Daily Excelsior. Despite the combined efforts, the fire engulfed the entire house and gutted it.
Sawjian Police Post In-charge Amit Choudhary said the cause could not be determined. An investigation has been initiated by the police. Daily Excelsior reported that the reason for the fire is being ascertained.
Assistance for the Owner
Tehsildar Mandi Ashfaq Hussain said that assistance under relevant provisions shall be provided to the house owner, following the fire that destroyed the house with many goods turned to ashes.