New Delhi, January 6
At least seven persons were charred to death and 10 others received serious burns when a devastating fire swept through a slum near Sadar Bazaar railway station in the Lahori Gate area of central Delhi today.
A Delhi fire services official said the blaze erupted at around 2.30 am. Hundreds of people were rendered homeless as over 3,750 jhuggis were gutted.
The official said the fire service personnel had recovered five bodies. Efforts were being made to identify them as the bodies were completely charred. He said seven persons were critically injured.
The fire officials said several fire tenders were rushed to the spot soon after it was reported. It took several hours to douse the flames.
The police said a case had been registered and efforts were being made to ascertain the cause of the fire. It was possible that the fire was caused by sparks from an open hearth in one of the jhuggies.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit visited the site and issued instructions to ensure relief to the affected families.
She also met the victims. She was accompanied by the chief secretary, divisional commissioner and deputy commissioner (revenue).
The Chief Minister announced Rs 1 Lakh ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased adult and Rs 50,000 in case of the death of a minor. An amount of Rs 20,000 would be granted as assistance to those who have been seriously injured and Rs 1,000 to others with minor injuries. She also announced an amount of Rs 2,000 for the families whose jhuggies have been gutted.
