Srinagar, Nov 11 (UNI) At least five houseboats and a dozen residential structures were gutted in a massive fire in Dal Lake on Saturday, officials said.

Fire and Emergency officials said that fire broke out at 5 am in one of the houseboats near the Ghat number 9 in the Dal Lake and engulfed other nearby houseboats and other wooden residential structures.

The fire tenders were rushed from the river station Nehru Park, Batmaloo and Gawkadal to douse the leaping flames, they said.

Before the fire could be controlled five houseboats and more than a dozen wooden residential structures were gutted in the incident.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, they said.

No one was injured in the incident.

The loss to the property is said to be in crores of rupees.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Aijaz Asad who visited the site told media persons that a fire incident occurred at Ghat No 9 in Dal Lake during which five houseboats and adjoining residential hutments were gutted.

He said as soon as the fire incident broke out the teams of SDRF, Kashmir police and Fire and Emergency agencies went into action and tried to douse the fire.

He said the tourists staying in these houseboats and residents were first rescued and taken to the safer places. No one was injured in the fire incident, he added.

Deputy Commissioner said that four adjoining houseboats were also relocated to save them from being caught in the fire.

He said “the district administration and the government are with the fire victims and expressing our sorrow over the incident. He assured that all the possible help from the government will be provided".

He said amid cold weather conditions the necessary household items including blankets and other items will be provided soon to the fire victims.

UNI QAB AKS