20220413 Delhi: Many dreams crushed as fire ravages transit camp
India Apr 13 2022 “Building” “Houses”
Dead : dead 1 to 4 Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Delhi: Many dreams crushed as fire ravages transit camp
Updated: 2022-04-13
DDA said 15 huts had been damaged. “Residents will be allotted alternative huts in the camp. The arrangements for essential items will be made,” a DDA spokesperson said
NEW DELHI: Rakesh, along with his family, was preparing for his younger brother’s wedding next month, but a fire at a transit camp in central Delhi’s Anand Parbat crushed their dream on Tuesday afternoon. Not only Rakesh, but hundreds of residents living in the camp have been affected. Officially, nobody has been injured.
Rakesh’s family had lost the jewellery bought for the wedding and their hard-earned money. “We are left with nothing but what we are wearing,” he said. Next to Rakesh was 40-year-old Vimla Devi who has also lost the jewellery bought for her daughter Jyoti’s wedding at April-end. “In a few seconds, my shanty was gutted. How will I marry my daughter,” she said.
The fire department received a call around 2.12pm about the fire at the camp near the Anand Parbat police station. “Eighteen fire tenders were sent and we found that around 50 shanties were affected,” said Atul Garg, director of Delhi Fire Services.
Delhi Development Authority (DDA), which runs the camp, said there had been no loss of life. But residents claimed that a man, Naveen Prasad (48), died during the fire. His son Robin said he got trapped inside due to the smoke, fell unconscious and died. Although the fire department said it had no idea about the death, Delhi Police admitted that a person had died, but the reason was not known yet. “The doctor will tell us the reason. He had no burn injuries,” police said.
DCP (central) Shweta Chauhan said 25 huts had been affected and a case had been registered. An inquiry is on to determine the reason behind the fire.
DDA said 15 huts had been damaged. “Residents will be allotted alternative huts in the camp. The arrangements for essential items will be made,” a DDA spokesperson said.
According to residents, busy searching for their belongings, they were earlier living in Kathputli Colony in Shadipur Depot and were shifted here several years ago by DDA. Dikshit, a 26-year-old resident, said he came out after hearing a loud noise. “I brought out the gas cylinder from my house to avoid a blast, but have lost all my belongings, money. My family has now become homeless,” he said. Ajay (24) said he had lost all the money he had saved for her 26-year-old sister’s wedding.
Web Source: The Times of India