Bilal Bhat
Pulwama, 17th November 2024: A devastating fire broke out at a bandsaw mill in Armulla, Pulwama, around 11:00 PM on 16th November, resulting in severe damage to the property. The mill is owned by Ishfaq Ur Rehman, son of Abdul Rehman, a resident of Tumlahall. The fire caused extensive damage to raw materials, the roof of the mill, and essential machinery, including both electric and diesel motors. The estimated loss is around 20 lakhs.
Speaking about the incident, Bilal Ur Rahman, brother of the owner, expressed concerns that the fire may have been deliberately set. “When I arrived at the scene, I sensed something was off. There was a strange smell in the air, almost like something was intentionally set on fire. This is not an ordinary accident,” Bilal stated. “I strongly believe there might be some foul play involved, and the authorities must conduct a thorough investigation.”
The fire service team reached the site at 12:25 AM, hours after the fire had started, and struggled to bring the blaze under control. The incident has left the owner and employees of the mill facing significant financial losses.
The affected parties are calling for swift action from the district administration to provide compensation for the damages, as well as for a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire. Local authorities have yet to confirm the cause, and an investigation is underway.
