A fire that broke out in Siddhartha Nagar, Nolambur, on Saturday afternoon reduced to ashes the homes of around 60 lower income group families.
Though no casualty was reported, the residents lost all their belongings.
According to the residents, most of who are working in the nearby localities as construction labourers, the fire was noticed around 2 p.m. “There was no time to retrieve anything from our huts,” wept Jaya, who works as domestic help. “We did not have the money to pay huge rents so we decided to stay here,” she said pointing to the ember that was once her home. “I have survived but the only clothes I possess now is what I am wearing,” she said.
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D. Cheenu, a Standard X student, who is helping out his father during the holidays said, “My father got a call and I rushed home. He is on his way. Most of us have lost our earnings which we left at home.”
After the fire was put out, the residents rummaged through the embers, to salvage blackened vessels and chisels and iron rods which construction labourers used for work. A family dug into the ashes to salvage a plastic bottle and managed to gather a tray-full of coins.
At least three bicycles were damaged in the fire. Residents said a motorbike was also destroyed.
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Fire and Rescue Service personnel said four fire tenders from Ambattur, Villivakkam, Kilpauk and two Metrowater tanks were pressed into service to put out the fire. A total of 30 huts in which 60 families were residing were destroyed, an official said.