In a horrifying incident last night as many as 16 houses were completely burnt down to ashes in Rhencok Bazaa, East Sikkim while three other houses were partially damaged. Reportedly the fire broke out around 1:00 am last night due to an electric short-circuit that took place in one of the houses. The disastrous fire that blazed Rhenock Bazzar has displaced 27 families with property loss of over 15 lakhs.
Fire brigades from Rangpo, Singtam, Pakyong, Gangtok and neighbouring town of Kalimpong in West Bengal rushed to the spot and fought the massive fire for four hours before it was controlled.
Regional District Collector Jitendra Singh Raje also reached the Bazaar area to take stock of the situation. Raje said, “Four of the families have lost everything, they were able to save nothing but their lives in the fire. These families will be rehabilitated at Dharamshala for the time-being.” Although no casualties were reported, one Jeewan Kumar Pradhan sustained minor injuries while rescuing the victims.
One of the victims Satya Narayan Agarwal (69), who had witnessed a similar incident back in 2004, said “I had just started rebuilding what I had lost in 2004 fire. It’s my ill fate that fire shattered me again.”
Chief Minister Pawan K Chamling has announced a relief fund of Rs 2 lakhs to each victim family whose house has been completely damaged and 1 lakh to those whose houses are damaged partially. In addition a relief of Rs. 50000 will also be given to the injured persons.
Stating that the government had plans to build a fire station in Rhenock but failed due to unavailability of land, the Chief Minister said, “We want to build a fire station in Rhenock within this year if the land is granted.” Meanwhile opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha organized a protest demanding establishment of a fire station here at the earliest.
Source:EOI
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| Houses and shops gutted by fire in Rhenock. |
Regional District Collector Jitendra Singh Raje also reached the Bazaar area to take stock of the situation. Raje said, “Four of the families have lost everything, they were able to save nothing but their lives in the fire. These families will be rehabilitated at Dharamshala for the time-being.” Although no casualties were reported, one Jeewan Kumar Pradhan sustained minor injuries while rescuing the victims.
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| Firemen, locals try to control the fire in Rhenock early on Sunday morning. |
Chief Minister Pawan K Chamling has announced a relief fund of Rs 2 lakhs to each victim family whose house has been completely damaged and 1 lakh to those whose houses are damaged partially. In addition a relief of Rs. 50000 will also be given to the injured persons.
Stating that the government had plans to build a fire station in Rhenock but failed due to unavailability of land, the Chief Minister said, “We want to build a fire station in Rhenock within this year if the land is granted.” Meanwhile opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha organized a protest demanding establishment of a fire station here at the earliest.
Source:EOI
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