Siliguri fire guts 31 slum houses

A devastating fire razed to the ground at least 31 houses, rendering at least 300 people in a slum in Siliguri homeless.

According to sources, preliminary assessment has suggested that the fire caused a damage of more than Rs 50 lakh to the houses, while sources said the total damage could go up to around Rs 1 crore.

The fire broke out at Khudiram Colony in Ward-18 at 7 pm last evening, where flames were seen leaping up to several feet. Officials of the fire and emergency said the cause was being ascertained, even as local people said several cooking gas cylinders had exploded. Seven fire tenders rushed to the area and brought the inferno under control within two hours and 15 minutes, officials said. Some persons sustained injuries while rescuing the affected persons, it is learnt.

Officials said at least 31 hutments were completely destroyed and around 10 partially damaged. They were mostly made of tin roofs. The slum is located close to the Siliguri Town Station, a local bus stand and a market.

According to Divisional Fire Officer Prodip Sarkar, the cause of the fire was being determined.

Senior officers and political leaders visited the site and assured the victims all help.

Several voluntary organisations also extended their helping hand.

The affected persons have been provided shelter in community halls and local clubs, where medical camps have also been set up for them. The Siliguri Municipal Corporation is providing them support under the disaster management like clothes, blankets, utensils and tarpaulins. Nine water tanks of 3000 liters each were pressed into service for the past two days.

Locals said they heard several loud explosions of cylinders bursting.