What would have passed off as just another Sunday evening turned into a disaster for residents of a slum in Jafferkhanpet, opposite Udhayam Theatre. A fire ravaged the hutment, which according to officials, had around 600 houses.
Though no casualties were reported, investigation was on late into Sunday night.
According to Meenakshi Vijaykumar, suburban divisional fire officer, the control room got a call at 8.37 p.m. and eight fire tenders were rushed to the settlement from Ashok Nagar.
She said, “Around 60 fire service personnel and seven Metrowater lorries were rushed to the spot and the fire was put out completely.”
The cause of the fire was being investigated, she said. “We were able to save several houses.” Though the access was narrow, they entered the slum from a flat on one side and via a nearby hospital’s gate on the other, she said. Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy visited the spot and said arrangements had been made to relocate residents.
Jerina Beevi (50), a resident, said she did not know what happened or how the fire started. By the time her family realised what was happening, there was only time to take their children and run for life.
“People were sitting and chatting and children were eating and watching television. When we saw the fire, there was no time to run back inside and take any important documents. Some luckily saved their ration cards, but most couldn’t,” she said.
