Rs 1,600 cr property destroyed in 4,000 fire incidents in J-K

Jammu and Kashmir has recored 4,000 fire incident in which property worth Rs 1,600 crore was destroyed in last year, officials today said.
"Over 4,000 fire incidents took place in 2014 in which property worth Rs 1,600 crore was destroyed," Director General, Fire and Emergency Services J&K, G A Bhat told reporters here.
Bhat complimented the Fire Services officials for their professional competence, commitment, courage and the distinguished services they rendered in such incidents and property worth Rs 1,430 cr was approximately saved.
The Fire and Emergency Services, J&K is observing Fire Service Week and a number of programmes are being launched throughout the week for mass public awareness.

April 14 was observed in the state to commemorate those gallant firemen who laid their lives for safeguarding of life and property of others during rescue and fire fighting.
Bhat discussed the devastation caused due to fires and floods, the recent example he gave was that of the devastating flood which struck the state last September mainly in Kashmir Valley which remained submerged for days.

"About 2,500 deployments were made in the Valley for dewatering in the submerged areas by using latest hi-tech portable pumps imported from Japan and hi-tech fire appliances", he said.
He emphasised upon the departmental officers to constitute special teams for giving demonstrations during the week regarding fire safety measures at district level in industrial establishments and other institutions.

Earlier, a two-minute silence was observed in memory of the martyrs and Bhat also laid wreaths on memorials.
Fire Service Week is observed throughout the country every year from April 14-20 in order to make public aware of fire prevention and precautionary measures.