Srinagar, Nov 4: Two scrap collectors were charred to death after a fire broke out at a shantytown in Srinagar’s Durbal locality, officials said on Wednesday.

According to the Fire and Emergency Services Department, the fire broke out around 12:23 am and rapidly engulfed nearly 80 makeshift shelters constructed with tarpaulin and wooden material.
An empty poultry farm and a tipper were also caught in the blaze.
Fire tenders from Fire Stations JVC and Rawalpora, along with additional reinforcements from Fire and Emergency Services Headquarters Batamaloo, were rushed to the spot to control the fire.
Officials said the flames had spread across the entire area before the Fire and Emergency Services were called, making the firefighting operation challenging.
After the blaze was brought under control, two bodies were recovered from the debris.
The deceased were identified as Mohammad Noor Alam (27), son of Abdal Wahab, a resident of Delhi presently staying at Durbal, and Al Ameen (16), son of Mohd Rafi, originally from Delhi and presently residing in Kupwara.
Both were working as scrap collectors in Durbal, officials said.
The bodies were handed over to the local police after completion of FSL proceedings.