80 houses were gutted due to a fire in a settlement in Nayat Chalas, a remote area of ​​Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan.
A fire suddenly broke out in a house in Nayat settlement on Friday night, which soon engulfed the entire settlement. The reasons for the fire are yet to be ascertained.
Local people say that due to the lack of mobile network facilities in the area, the rescue operations were severely affected, and there was also a significant delay in dealing with the emergency. The authorities got information about the incident from alternative sources, after which rescue teams and administration officials were sent to the affected area.
Local people have said that around 80 houses in the settlement were destroyed due to the fire, but there was no loss of life.
Local people said that due to the non-availability of water and lack of road infrastructure in the area, the entire township was burnt to ashes, and there was no provision for the timely arrival of firefighters or rescue teams in the area. The locals controlled the fire their control while the district authorities dispatched relief supplies to the affected area in the morning.
The district administration says the relief package includes food, tents, and other essential items to help the displaced families. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported yet, but the destruction of 80 houses has caused considerable financial loss to the residents.
Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan, taking notice of the incident, has directed the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Diamar to conduct a full investigation into the incident and submit a report. He also ordered the authorities to provide comprehensive support to the affected families, ensuring that they are provided with the necessary assistance as per the government’s policy.
