Baripada: Tragedy struck several displaced families residing in Sialinai village under Karanjia block in Mayurbhanj district after a major fire broke out in the locality reducing as many as 27 rooms to ashes last night.
No casualty has been reported in the incident. Although no loss of life was reported, properties worth lakhs reduced to cinders.
Sources said several displaced families of Similipal sanctuary had shifted to Sialinai village in June last year. They were staying in temporary accommodation in a slum for the last seven months. Last night, devastating fire erupted in a room and quickly spread to the neighbouring rooms.
Houses of nearly 27 families were destroyed in the mishap. However, the exact cause of the mishap is yet to be ascertained. After receiving information about the mishap, fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames.
After the incident, Block Development Officer (BDO) and district administration officials visited the spot to take stock of the situation. Meanwhile, the displaced families have demanded rehabilitation.
Earlier January 22, 16 rooms of displaced families of Similipal sanctuary were gutted in fire in the same village.
Meanwhile, the displaced families alleged that such mishap is frequently occurring due to the apathetic attitude of the district administration towards them.
“The district administration has not provided proper accommodation to us. We are facing much difficulty here. We would go back into the forests if the Government does not take any steps for our proper rehabilitation,” said a woman.
PNN
