Fire destroys almost entire village in Kishtwar

A major fire has completely destroyed Sukhnoi village in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, gutting 80 out of a total 84 households, but no one was injured, officials said today.
"Out of 84 houses, 80 in the Sukhnoi village in the Warwan block of the Kisthwar district were gutted in a fire that broke out late last night," Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kishtwar, Ghulam Nabi Balwan told PTI.
Soon after receiving the information, senior police and district administration officials rushed to the spot.
"The villagers had no option but to stay in the open last night as it is a remote village and tents will not help them due to snowfall in the area during the coming months," the DC said.

He said that the government has already sent free ration for the villagers, who have decided to stay in rented accommodation during the winters.
"As the winters are fast approaching and it would be difficult for the people to reconstruct their houses or stay in the tents, they have decided to stay in rented accommodation during the winter, the government will pay the rent for them," Balwan said.
He said that there was no loss of life or injury in the inferno that destroyed almost the entire village.