By Aftab Hussian
SHANGLA: A house was destroyed in a sudden fire in the remote mountainous locality of Lari in Shangla district, leaving a family displaced and prompting calls for improved emergency services in the area.
The blaze erupted at the residence of Abdul Amin and spread rapidly, engulfing the structure before residents could retrieve household belongings. No casualties were reported, but most of the family’s possessions were reduced to ashes, according to local residents.
The exact cause of the fire could not be immediately confirmed. Initial accounts from locals suggest a possible electrical short circuit or sparks from a cooking stove may have triggered the incident.
Due to the difficult terrain and the remoteness of the area, fire brigade services were unable to reach the site in time. In the absence of immediate official assistance, residents launched their own efforts to contain the flames, using water, soil and available tools to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent homes.
After several hours, the community managed to control the blaze and stop it from affecting nearby houses. However, by that time, the house and essential household items had already suffered extensive damage.
The affected family has reportedly incurred significant financial losses and is facing hardship following the incident.
Residents and local elders have appealed to the district administration to provide urgent financial assistance and relief to the family. They also called for the establishment of fire brigade units or emergency response centers in remote and hilly areas of Shangla to ensure quicker response during future emergencies.
Community members said that timely arrival of rescue services could have reduced the extent of the damage and stressed the need for improved emergency infrastructure in far-flung regions of the district.
