PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Uttarkashi
A massive fire wreaked havoc late Tuesday night in the remote village of Fitari under Mori development block. The fire, which broke out around 11 PM, quickly engulfed eight residential buildings and six granaries, while three cows died a painful death. While the blaze sparked panic, the villagers swung into action immediately, trying to put out the flames on their own.
Upon receiving information about the incident, the district magistrate Prashant Arya dispatched teams from SDRF, revenue, health and police to the scene. These teams, supported by the locals, extinguished the flames after battling them for a long time.
Later, the DM arrived at the scene, met the affected families and assured them of full assistance from the administration. Essential relief materials, including tents, tarpaulins, utensil sets, gas stoves, pots, pans, buckets, hygiene kits, towels, mugs, blankets, mattresses, gumboots and solar lights were immediately delivered to the village from the Emergency Operations Centre, Uttarkashi. Besides, a relief camp has been set up at the Upper Primary School, Fitari, for the affected families, providing them with accommodation and food.
The district administration said that the situation had been brought under control but the affected families had suffered significant losses.
Meanwhile, the local MLA Durgeshwar Lal arrived in the village late at night. He met with the affected families and assured them that financial assistance would be provided promptly in accordance with disaster management standards.
The villagers demanded a permanent water supply system for the village, prompting the DM to direct the officials concerned to construct a water tank to take on emergencies. He also directed that this project be prioritised in the next district plan.
Observers said that the Fitari blaze has once again highlighted the disaster management challenges and resource constraints in the mountainous areas.
