Girinagar blaze leaves 100 homeless

A devastating fire broke out in Girinagar, a locality in Paonta Sahib of Sirmaur district, on Monday evening, leaving nearly 100 persons homeless. The blaze engulfed around 15 huts belonging to the Gujjar community.

The tragic incident occurred around 5.30 pm yesterday, creating panic in the community. As soon as the fire broke out, locals alerted the Paonta Sahib Fire Brigade, which rushed to the spot. However, the flames had already spread rapidly, fuelled by the dry conditions and flammable materials in the makeshift dwellings. Firefighters battled the inferno for several hours before bringing it under control late at night.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire started due to a short circuit in one of the huts, which quickly escalated, spreading to adjacent dwellings. Since the huts were closely packed and largely constructed using wood, dry grass and plastic sheets, the fire spread uncontrollably within minutes.

The inferno completely destroyed all belongings of the affected families, including household items, essential documents, and cash savings. Additionally, three to four livestock animals perished in the fire, compounding the tragedy for the families, many of whom rely on cattle rearing for their livelihood.

“The fire was extremely intense, and it took us hours to douse the flames. Fortunately, no human casualties have been reported, but the financial and emotional loss suffered by these families is immense,” said Ram Kumar, Fire Officer, Paonta Sahib Fire Department.

The local administration has assured immediate relief and rehabilitation for the affected families. Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage, which is estimated to run into several lakhs of rupees.

“We are working on providing temporary shelter, food, and essential supplies to the victims. Further assistance, including financial aid, will be extended as per government policies,” stated an official from the district administration.

The tragic fire has left the displaced families in deep distress, with many struggling to comprehend the magnitude of their loss. The affected community members are now seeking support to rebuild their lives from scratch.

Local NGOs and community groups have also stepped in, urging the government and kind-hearted citizens to extend financial and material assistance to the victims.