Massive Blaze Guts Thirteen Houses in Karfalli Muhalla, Habba Kadal A devastating fire turned a quiet night into a nightmare for dozens of families in Karfalli Muhalla, Habba Kadal, when a massive blaze engulfed the congested locality, completely gutting at least thirteen residential houses. Eyewitnesses said the fire broke out around midnight, originating from one of the old wooden houses before rapidly spreading to adjacent structures. The narrow lanes, dense housing, and dry weather conditions fueled the inferno, leaving residents with barely enough time to escape. Panic gripped the entire area as cries for help echoed through the lanes. Men, women, and children rushed out of their homes carrying whatever little they could save — some clutching important documents, others holding their children close, watching helplessly as decades of hard work turned to ashes within moments. Fire and Emergency Services personnel, assisted by locals and police, reached the spot immediately. Despite facing difficulties due to the area’s congested layout, they launched a relentless operation that lasted for several hours. Their combined efforts finally managed to bring the flames under control, preventing the fire from spreading further. While no loss of life has been reported, the scale of destruction is immense. Household belongings, memories, and property worth lakhs have been completely destroyed. Many families now find themselves without shelter, standing amid the charred remains of what once were their homes. Tears rolled down the faces of residents as they recalled the terrifying moments of the night. “Everything we owned is gone — our home, clothes, and savings,” said an elderly woman, her voice trembling with grief. “We escaped with only the clothes we were wearing.” Locals have appealed to the district administration and the government for immediate relief and rehabilitation, urging authorities to provide temporary shelter, food, and financial assistance to the affected families. As dawn broke over Habba Kadal, the smell of smoke still lingered in the air, and the blackened walls stood as silent witnesses to the tragedy — a stark reminder of the fragility of life in Srinagar’s old, tightly packed neighborhoods.