The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Fire renders over 1,000 shelterless in capital

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Friday, Oct 26, 2007
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Fire renders over 1,000 shelterless in capital

Staff Reporter

300 persons shifted to a school while 200 are taking shelter in a mosque

The fire originated from a shed and, subsequently, an LPG cylinder got blasted
It takes fire tenders more than seven hours to douse the flame

BHUBANESWAR: A major fire broke out in Muslim Sahi slum in the heart of the capital city in the wee hours of Thursday rendering over 1,000 persons homeless.

The intensity of the fire was so high that it engulfed about 500 houses and reduced those to ashes within no time. By the time fire tenders reached the spot, smoke was billowing from the remnants. Three persons received minor injuries whereas there was no report of any casualty.

Inhabitants who were mainly migrant Bangladeshis could save their lives by running out from their jhuggis around 3 pm. They lost everything.

In the morning, victims were seen digging their floor to pick if any valuables which were not gutted in fire.

The situation turned worse as fire tenders could not enter the slum due to narrow lanes and scattered with electric connection. The fire fighters, however, managed to save more houses in adjacent Malisahi area, the red light area of the city. Local corporator Sudipta Badajena said most inhabitants were rag pickers and had kept stocks of polythene and waste papers that caught fire easily.

As many as five fire tenders were used for more than seven hours to bring the fire under control.

"The fire is said to have originated from a shed where a person had used mosquito coil. Soon after, a gas cylinder came in contacts with the fire and got blasted. Subsequently, it spread to other areas," S. K. Hyumayun, a victim, said.

Industry Minister Biswa Bhushan Harichandan and Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Manmohan Samal along with officials visited the spot to take stock of the situation.

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Khurda district administration mobilised supports for the fire victims and put them in temporary shelters.

"About 300 persons mainly old, women and children have been shifted to a school while another 200 are taking shelter in the nearby Masjid.

Several non-government organisations were contacted and they readily assured supplying food and dress materials to the victims," BMC Commissioner Aparajita Sarangi said.

Orissa State Disaster Management Authority was providing high power light to keep the ravaged slum lighted. Ms. Sarangi said polythene sheets and blankets for the victims could reach by Friday.

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