12 May,2010 02:38 PM IST | | ANI
Hundreds of people were rendered homeless when more than 200 slum dwellings were gutted in fire in this Haryana district. Five people were injured, an official said Wednesday.
The incident took place Tuesday night in the slum settlement of Mansa Devi Complex (MDC) in Panchkula on the outskirts of the state capital Chandigarh. The fire department official said it took nine fire engines over three hours to control the blaze.
"Five people have been admitted to a hospital with minor burn injuries. But there has been no loss of life.
Eyewitnesses told us that the slums caught fire after an oil lamp fell on dry straws," the official said.
"No winds were blowing in the region at that time otherwise it could have been a major tragedy," the official added.
Hundreds of people have become homeless and families lost their savings and belongings.
"I have directed the revenue officials to calculate the actual loss and submit an estimate at the earliest. We would provide all possible help to victim families. The Mansa Devi shrine board has been asked to make arrangements for food for the victims," Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Ashima Garg said.
