SWAT: A woman along with her two minor children was burnt alive when a wildfire engulfed her house in Lilai Dandai area of Behsam Tehsil in Shangla district, taking the death toll from hill fire to eight so far in a week.
The three family members were killed when a fire broke out on Dandai Hill in Besham Tehsil, officials confirmed.
According to DSP Besham circle Jehanzeb Khan, the deceased included a mother and her two children. He said that a wildfire erupted in Lilai Dandai area of Behsam Tehsil and spread to the residential area. The raging fire killed a woman identified as: 27-year-old Mrs Najma, wife of Hayat Zada, and her two children: three-year-old Aiman and infant Hameed.
“Two buffaloes, two cows and three goats were also killed in the blaze”, he added.
Rescue spokesperson Rasool Khan said that a Rescue 1122 team, police and revenue department staff have reached the area to extinguish the fire with the help of locals.
He said that the bodies of the victims were taken to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Besham.
Shangla Deputy Commissioner Ziaur Rehman told Pakistan Today that the relevant staff has reached the affected area and provided tents, blankets, kitchen sets and other items to the victim’s family.
The Deputy Commissioner claimed that the officials have been directed to control the fire as soon as possible in the district.
RESCUE 1122 WORKER DEAD
It is to be noted that the raging fire killed Rescue 1122 worker Nizam Ullah, due to intense heat and smoke on Thursday in the Manga area of Chakesar Tehsil. The deceased belonged to Baina village of Puran Tehsil and his funeral prayer was offered in Chekesar hospital.
Four members of a family were killed by a forest blaze in Ali Jan peak of Chakesar Tehsil last Monday.
FIRE INCIDENTS INCREASED
On the other hand, the number of fire incidents has increased to a dangerous level and eight more fire incidents were reported at various places in Swat District.
According to Rescue 1122, District Emergency Officer Malik Sher Dil Khan, fire broke out on Friday in the hills of Marghazar, Tutatono Bandai, Sangota, Manglawar, Amlook Dara, Kanju Township and Shokdara.
He said that about 70 fire incidents have been reported in a week in Swat District.
However, no casualties have been reported so far.
