Kishtwar, January 2, 2026

At least five houses were completely gutted and two people sustained injuries after a devastating fire, triggered by an LPG cylinder blast, broke out in a remote village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district late on Thursday night. Officials said the blaze erupted in Thachna village and spread rapidly to neighbouring homes, causing extensive damage to property but no loss of life.

According to district officials, the fire originated in one residential house following an explosion of an LPG cylinder. Due to the close proximity of houses in the village and the predominance of wooden structures, the flames quickly engulfed nearby homes, leaving several families homeless in the middle of harsh winter conditions.

Residents raised an alarm as soon as the fire broke out, prompting an immediate response from the district administration. Teams from the local administration, police, army, and fire services rushed to the spot, while villagers joined the effort to contain the blaze. Fire tenders were dispatched to the remote area, despite difficult terrain and limited access, officials said.

In a bid to prevent the fire from spreading further, LPG cylinders from nearby houses were swiftly removed as a precautionary measure. Officials said this step played a crucial role in stopping the flames from reaching additional homes in the densely clustered settlement.

Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Sharma, personally monitored the firefighting and relief operations. He said the fire was eventually brought under control after several hours of sustained effort by multiple agencies working together under challenging conditions.

“Four to five houses were gutted in the incident. There was no loss of life,” Sharma said, adding that two persons who were actively engaged in firefighting efforts sustained injuries. “They were immediately given first aid and their condition is stable,” he told PTI.

The injured individuals were reportedly local residents who were among the first to respond to the emergency, attempting to douse the flames before firefighting teams arrived. Officials said their prompt action helped in alerting others and preventing panic in the village.

The houses damaged in the fire belonged to Liaqat Mir, Bashir Ahmed, Alfa Mir, and Jibran Mir. Families living in these houses lost most of their belongings, including household items, clothing, and stored food supplies, officials said.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, the district administration arranged temporary relief for the affected families. Tents and other essential relief material were distributed to those whose homes were destroyed. The administration has assured that further assistance will be provided after a detailed assessment of losses is conducted.

“A comprehensive assessment of the damage will be carried out to determine the extent of losses and to provide appropriate compensation and rehabilitation support to the affected families,” Deputy Commissioner Sharma said.

The incident has drawn reactions from political leaders across parties, who expressed concern over the plight of the affected families and called for swift relief measures.

Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma said he was in constant touch with the affected families and district authorities. “I am closely monitoring the situation and discussing relief measures to ensure that the affected families receive immediate assistance,” he said.

National Conference Member of Parliament Sajad Kitchloo expressed grief over the incident and said he had taken up the matter with the state leadership. “I have spoken to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and requested him to ensure immediate relief and support for the families affected by this unfortunate fire,” Kitchloo said.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hamid Karra also expressed concern, particularly in view of the severe winter conditions prevailing in the region. He urged both the district and Union Territory administrations to act swiftly to provide urgent relief, temporary shelter, and rehabilitation to the victims.

“Such incidents are especially devastating during winter, when families are already struggling with harsh weather. The administration must ensure immediate shelter, adequate relief, and long-term rehabilitation for the affected households,” Karra said.

Officials said further preventive measures would be reviewed in the area, including awareness campaigns on the safe use of LPG cylinders and inspections of domestic gas connections, particularly in remote and vulnerable villages.

Fires caused by LPG cylinder leaks or blasts remain a recurring concern in hilly and rural areas, where access to emergency services is often limited and houses are built close to one another. Authorities said strengthening local preparedness and ensuring timely inspections could help reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.

For now, the focus remains on providing relief to the affected families and ensuring that they are not left exposed to the cold. The district administration has assured continued support as it works to restore normalcy in Thachna village following the devastating fire.