Bandipora- At least 10 houses were gutted in a massive fire in Tatri-Kilshay village of Tulail in Gurez area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district late last night, officials said on Wednesday.
An official told Kashmir Observer that at least 10 residential houses were completely gutted in the fire that broke out on the intervening night of Tuesday-Wednesday in the village.
Several families were rendered homeless, losing all their belongings in the blaze, they said.
They said that the fire erupted from one of the residential houses in the village and engulfed the surrounding houses within no time.
“The cause of the fire is yet to be known. There was however, no loss of human life reported in the incident,” officials said.
Meanwhile, a police official said that they have taken cognizance of the matter and have started an investigation to ascertain the actual cause of the fire.
The locals meanwhile urged the district administration for immediate compensation and relief to the affected families.
“All our belongings have been burnt to ashes. We are seeking help from the administration,” they said, adding that they will not be able to describe how difficult it is to build a new house in this remote area.
Some videos of the fire showing local families struggling to put down the flames during midnight have gone viral on social media.
Meanwhile the district administration in an official handout said that as per the preliminary reports from the field, 14 structures, comprising 10 families, have been completely damaged.
“The exact details of damages/families affected including partial damages, if any, shall be shared separately in due course of time, ” it said, adding that the Sub Divisional Administration of Gurez is on job to assist the affected families.
They said that additional immediate relief consisting of blankets, utensils, food kits and cash assistance has been dispatched through a district team headed by Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Bandipora.
“Process for assessment of losses/damages has also been initiated by a team of concerned officers from Revenue, Animal & Sheep Husbandry Departments for providing of comprehensive relief as per SDRF norms,” the administration said, adding that temporary rehabilitation/ shifting shall also be arranged wherever required.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on its official twitter said that a devastating fire has gutted a large number of structures in Tatri Kilshay village of Tulail .
“Hapless people are crying out for help. Urge administration to reach out to the needy and suitably rehabilitate/compensate them,” the PDP said.
LG orders immediate relief for Tulail fire victims
Expressing deep anguish over the fire incident at village Kilshay of Tulail in Sub Division, Gurez, which razed several houses, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has directed the district administration Bandipora to conduct an on-the-spot assessment and provide immediate relief to the affected families.
Acting on the directions, the district authorities have immediately supplied Blankets, Sustenance Kits (Cooking Oil, Pulses, etc.), Household Utensils and immediate cash assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh (15000/- to each family), besides every possible support shall be extended to the families. Temporary rehabilitation/ shifting shall also be arranged wherever required.
Further, a relief of Rs 1.10 lakh to each affected family whose residential structure has been completely damaged shall be released tomorrow under SDRF norms. The Lt Governor has directed the district administration to ensure each family is properly looked after and further support for building new houses should be extended to the affected families.
Senior Sub Divisional Administration officers are also stationed on the spot for the assistance of the affected families.
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