Siliguri (West Bengal), Oct 25 (Inditop.com) Two children were killed and 200-odd shanties destroyed when a fire broke out in West Bengal’s Siliguri town in the wee hours of Sunday, a senior fire brigade official said.
“The fire broke out at Matangini Hazra colony at around 3.30 a.m. Sunday. Altogether seven engines were pressed into service to extinguish the fire,” the state fire department official said.
According to sources, the fire broke out when the colony was almost deserted early Sunday.
“Most of the people went to Mahananda river to celebrate Chhath festival when the fire broke out. It soon spread and ravaged the entire slum area,” Siliguri Municipal Corporation mayor Gangotri Dutta said.
“We’re making necessary arrangements to set up temporary relief camps and will provide food to all the victims. Initially we’ll set up three relief camps.
“I’ve also convened an emergency meeting today. We’ll finalise the necessary steps which will be taken to rehabilitate these homeless families,” she said.
State Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Ashok Bhattacharya also toured the entire area to monitor the devastating impact of the fire Sunday morning.
