FIRE broke out in a locked house in the Krishna Nagar slum of Supela, Bhilai, on Thursday afternoon, destroying valuables and households. Despite the swift efforts of slum residents to extinguish the blaze using buckets of water, considerable damage was done, though no injuries were reported. The fire started around 1:15 pm in the locked home of Hiraman Sao, a vegetable vendor living in Krishna Nagar slum. The thick smoke and flames quickly engulfed the house. Nearby residents noticed the fire and immediately sprang into action, using buckets of water to bring the blaze under control before it could spread further. Neha Sao, the daughter of the victim, revealed that Rs 5 lakh in cash, gold jewellery worth Rs 2 lakh, and all their household possessions were lost in the fire.

 

Her brother, Rahul Sao, was due to be married soon, and the family had recently purchased jewelry and new clothing in preparation for the wedding. Raja Banjare, Corporator (Ward-8) of the Bhilai Municipal Corporation (BMC) informed that due to the fire’s rapid spread in the densely populated slum, there was no time to call in the fire brigade. Banjare also added that he would seek financial aid for the affected family from government agencies. The fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit.