54 houses gutted in North Dinajpur, none injured

BALURGHAT: Around 54 houses were gutted in a fire that broke out from firewood cooking.

The incident took place in Bhatkunda village of Islampur block in North Dinajpur on Thursday afternoon rendering at least 300 people homeless. Preliminary investigation revealed the loss is amounting to Rs 25, 00,000.

Local sources informed that the houses, mostly thatched with tin-bamboo roofs, were reduced to ashes within a short span of time before two fire engines arrived. Fire had, however, controlled after one hour and finally the fire tenders managed to douse it completely. No reports of causalities have been reported so far. About 12 people received minor injuries. They were given primary treatments. According to a local source, the fire broke out while a local resident Julfikar Ali was cooking in his house.

Soon the fire spread to the adjacent houses with thatched with tin, bamboo and wooden materials. Officials from the local block have already visited the area. Locals demanded immediate relief materials from the local administration and panchayats.