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Over 100 houses gutted

Rajesh Nair

No casualties or serious injuries; cause to be ascertained

— Photo:T. Singaravelou

A health volunteer giving treatment to an injured woman.

PONDICHERRY: More than 100 families, mostly casual labourers, have been rendered homeless following a fire at Ellaiamman Koil Thoppe near the railway station on Thursday.

The fire broke out at around 2.30 a.m. No casualties or serious injuries were reported, according to the police.

An 85-year-old woman, Lakshmi Ammal, from whose house the fire was suspected to have originated, sustained minor burns. She lost four goats, which were her means of livelihood.

According to Yesvanthaiyah, Tahisldar, Pondicherry region, all the 102 houses were gutted completely. They were built on a temple land and had either thatched or polythene roofing.

While police said the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, eyewitnesses maintained that the fire started from Lakshmi Ammal's house. When she raised an alarm, the people living in the adjacent huts ran to safety leaving everything behind.

Fire engines could not reach the spot because the road to the dwelling units was narrow. It was doused around 6 a.m., the eyewitnesses said.

Police said on two fires destroyed several houses in the same place earlier.

The displaced families were given Rs.6,000 each by the Revenue department from the Calamity Relief Fund and kitchen sets. They are accommodated in a government primary school.

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy who visited the place ordered the release of Rs.3,000 each from his relief fund. An announcement about their rehabilitation would be made in the ongoing session of the Assembly.

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