100 shanties reduced to ashes after fire breaks out in Patna's slum area

PATNA: Around 100 shanties were gutted in a massive fire broke out in the slum area near Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital under Shastri Nagar police station area in the state capital on Thursday, triggering a series of gas cylinder explosions.
More than 20 fire engines and vehicles were pressed into service and it took hours to control the fire.
Fire department officials said no injuries and casualties were reported in the incident.
"We rushed to the spot as soon as the information was received. The rescue operation was started immediately and the fire was brought under control. A number of people who live in the area lost their valuables, and some of them managed to take out their possessions," the officers said that prima facie, the cause of the fire is said to be electrical short circuit in a hut.
The fire incident took place around 1.30pm following which senior officers incluidng DG fire services Shobha Ahotkar, Patna DM Chandrashekhar Singh, SSP Rajiv Mishra, SDO Patna Sadar, ASP secretariat and SHO of Shastri Nagar police station reached to the spot.
The DM said the fire was immediately brought under control by the administration. "With timely action, the fire did spread to the other part of the slum area and about 400 shanties were saved from burning. No person is injured in the incident, however, seven animals were perished," Singh said.
He instructed the officials concerned to conduct a detailed investigation behind the cause of the fire. "Due to the fire, 10-12 cylinders in the huts were exploded, following which the flames engulfed about 100 huts," Singh said adding that instruction has been given to the officials to make a list of affected families and provide a relief grant of Rs 9,800 per family within 24 hours.
"Biscuits were immediately provided to the children. Flattened rice and jaggery have been made available to the people. Dry ration is also being made available to the affected families. Instructions have also been given to run a community kitchen in the nearby DB Sahay High School. Arrangements have been made for polythene sheets and tents. Drinking water and toilet facilities, medical team and other arrangements have also been made. Veterinary doctors have also been deployed," the DM said in an issued statement.
On the instruction of the DM, the SDO and the Zonal Officer and all other officials related to disaster management are camping at the spot and engaged in relief work.