Key Points
- Fire broke out at army camp storehouse on Auli Road, Joshimath around 2 PM Friday
- Over 100 soldiers and two fire brigade vehicles battling blaze intensified by strong winds
- Flames visible from kilometers away, no casualties reported
- Property damage estimated at ₹45 lakhs, including winter supplies and communication gear
- Cause believed to be electrical short circuit, official investigation underway
A massive fire suddenly broke out at an army camp located on Auli Road in Joshimath, Uttarakhand, on Friday afternoon around 2 PM. The fire caused panic throughout the camp and the surrounding area as strong winds fanned the flames, making the situation even more dangerous and unpredictable. Upon receiving information about the incident, the army’s fire brigade and soldiers immediately rushed to the scene and began fighting the fire with urgency and coordination.
The blaze originated in a storehouse within the army camp that contained critical winter supplies, communication equipment, and tactical gear essential for operations in the high-altitude region. Soldiers are currently trying to salvage the goods stored in the warehouse while simultaneously working to extinguish the raging flames that have already consumed a significant portion of the structure. The intense heat and smoke have forced responders to work in rotating shifts to maintain effectiveness.
Two fire brigade vehicles are reportedly present at the scene to extinguish the fire at the Joshimath army camp, with additional support from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). However, the army or the administration has not yet released detailed information about the exact extent of the damage or the definitive cause of the fire. Initial estimates suggest the damage could be significant, potentially affecting operational readiness in this strategically important area near the China border.
What caused the fire remains under preliminary investigation. The flames from the fire in the camp’s storehouse are so high and intense that they can be seen from a distance of over 5 kilometers, creating concern among residents of nearby villages. Efforts are continuously being made to control the fire, but strong winds coming from the mountains at speeds of 30-40 km/h are making it difficult for firefighters to contain the spread. According to media reports, it is believed that an electrical spark from a short circuit may have caused the fire, which then spread rapidly through the combustible materials stored in the warehouse. More than 100 soldiers are reportedly involved in fighting the fire, along with 15 specialized fire personnel.
Goods worth lakhs have been destroyed, according to a senior army officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. There have been no casualties in the incident, but property worth an estimated ₹45 lakhs has been destroyed in the fire, including critical winter ration supplies and electronic equipment. However, the exact figures are yet to be officially released pending a full assessment. The army has set up a temporary command post near the site to coordinate response efforts and assess the operational impact.
Fire brigade personnel present at the scene are working alongside army engineers to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings, including barracks and an ammunition storage facility located 200 meters away. The army’s fire brigade and soldiers immediately rushed to the scene upon receiving the alert and began fighting the fire with professional efficiency. It is reported that the fire started in a storehouse within the army camp, and the soldiers are currently trying to save the remaining goods stored in the store while battling the rising flames that show signs of weakening but remain dangerous.
Latest updates indicate that the fire is now 70 percent contained after four hours of continuous effort, though cooling operations are expected to continue through the night. District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana has confirmed that nearby civilian areas are not at risk, and the army has ordered a comprehensive safety audit of all storage facilities across Uttarakhand’s high-altitude camps. The Indian Army’s Central Command has also dispatched a team of fire safety experts to investigate the incident and recommend preventive measures for the future.
