DARJEELING, 20 APRIL: A large section of the Darjeeling Bazaar between HD Lama Road and NB Singh Road was gutted in a fire late last night. At least 150 shops and 21 residences were reduced to cinders. Properties worth around Rs 5 crore have been destroyed in the fire.
Notably, the flame caught the market just a few hours after the fire brigade officers had demonstrated fire-fighting techniques on the occasion of the fire service week at Chowrasta. Eyewitnesses said the fire brigade officials had a tough time in negotiating the blaze as there was a crisis of water. “The flame was first spotted around 1 a.m., but it was extinguished around 7 a.m. today,” an eyewitness said. However, the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. “At least three cooking gas cylinders exploded with deafening sounds,” said a local.
The administration and the GJMM leaders promised relief. But doubts persist on compensation. The Darjeeling municipality officials said providing compensation was difficult as most of the burnt shops were unauthorised. “They have no valid papers to claim compensation. There is no provision of providing compensations in such cases. We are considering other means to provide relief,” said a civic official. GJMM general secretary Roshan Giri said MP from Darjeeling Jaswant Singh has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for relief. “Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been informed of the fire,” he said. The shop owners demanded that the shops would be reconstructed at the same sites. A relief committee has been formed. sns
Notably, the flame caught the market just a few hours after the fire brigade officers had demonstrated fire-fighting techniques on the occasion of the fire service week at Chowrasta. Eyewitnesses said the fire brigade officials had a tough time in negotiating the blaze as there was a crisis of water. “The flame was first spotted around 1 a.m., but it was extinguished around 7 a.m. today,” an eyewitness said. However, the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. “At least three cooking gas cylinders exploded with deafening sounds,” said a local.
The administration and the GJMM leaders promised relief. But doubts persist on compensation. The Darjeeling municipality officials said providing compensation was difficult as most of the burnt shops were unauthorised. “They have no valid papers to claim compensation. There is no provision of providing compensations in such cases. We are considering other means to provide relief,” said a civic official. GJMM general secretary Roshan Giri said MP from Darjeeling Jaswant Singh has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for relief. “Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been informed of the fire,” he said. The shop owners demanded that the shops would be reconstructed at the same sites. A relief committee has been formed. sns
Post a Comment
We love to hear from you! What's on your mind?