A heartbreaking house fire in Skardu’s Hamid Garh area claimed the lives of Sessions Judge Khurshid Ahmed’s wife and son on Sunday morning. The incident, which unfolded at approximately 6 AM, has left the local community in shock and mourning. The tragic event has highlighted the urgent need for quicker emergency response capabilities in Skardu, where limited resources hinder timely rescue efforts.
Incident Details
According to police spokesperson Ghulam Muhammad Shuja, the fire broke out at Judge Ahmed’s residence. Sadly, his 42-year-old wife and 19-year-old son, Minhaaj Khurshid, could not escape the blaze an died at the scene. Local rescue teams, led by SHO Skardu Imtiaz Hussain, responded immediately with fire brigade personnel, but the swift spread of flames, intensified by the home’s wooden interiors, made rescue efforts difficult.
Swift but Insufficient Response
Rescue 1122’s report indicated that extensive woodwork within the residence fueled the rapid spread of the fire, complicating rescue operations. Despite the quick response from SHO Hussain and his team, the efforts were not enough to save the lives of the judge’s family members. Judge Khurshid Ahmed, his police guard Constable Gulzar, and household cook Mehfooz managed to escape the blaze unharmed.
The victims’ bodies were transferred to the Regional Headquarters Hospital in Skardu for post-mortem examination. Local police officials have since launched an investigation to determine the fire’s cause.
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Community and Officials React
The tragic incident has sparked reactions from top law enforcement and government officials. DIG Baltistan Asif Iqbal Mehmood and SSP Skardu Nasser Abbas extended condolences to Judge Khurshid Ahmed, expressing their deep sorrow over the “heart-wrenching” loss. The tragedy has reverberated throughout the Skardu community, where families are rallying to support Judge Ahmed in the wake of his devastating loss.
Rescue 1122 Calls for Substation Expansion
Rescue 1122 highlighted the need for a more efficient local rescue infrastructure. They revealed that a new rescue substation had been planned near the Regional Headquarters Hospital in Skardu, specifically to improve emergency response times in this region. However, this project has faced delays and remains incomplete two years after initial site selection.
This tragedy has underscored the pressing need for the substation, and Rescue 1122 has called upon local authorities to expedite its construction. The improved infrastructure would not only enhance response times but could also be instrumental in preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Moving Forward
The tragic loss in Skardu serves as a stark reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness, especially in regions with limited resources. For the Ahmed family, the community, and local officials, this incident has catalyzed a call for action to establish and prioritize faster, more accessible emergency services in Skardu.
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