An official of Fire and Emergency Department told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that as soon as they were informed about fire at, six fire tenders and six fire engines were pressed into service to douse off the flames.

 

He said that four houseboats were already engulfed by the devastating fire and their men started dousing off the flames before it could engulf other houseboats. 

 

"However, fire engulfed three more houseboats and at least seven houseboats were completely gutted in the incident, which include Royal Paradise, India Palace, Jersey, Lily of the World, New Maharaja Palace, Young Swift and Flora," he said. 

 

He also said that they have written to the Police to investigate the incident and ascertain the cause of fire.

 

Meanwhile, one of the houseboat owners told KNS that they don't have any side-business or any other source of income other than these houseboats. "Now that our source of livelihood is over, it is up to the administration to rehabilitate us," he said.

 

He also said that such incidents have taken place even before and if the government cannot compensate them, but at least they should provide them with low-interest loans, so that they rebuild their houseboats. 

 

When contacted, additional district development commissioner Srinagar Syed Hanif Balki told KNS that the administration will compensate them as these houseboats are commercial infrastructures and come under the domain of Tourism and LCMA.

 

He said that the victims will be provided with basic amenities and they will be compensated through Red Cross as well. (KNS)