Chamarajnagar: A huge fire engulfed a colony in Kaggala Village of Chamarajanagar District in the evening of February 28. More than 20 haystacks and several houses were reduced to ashes. Fortunately, there was no loss of life in the accident.
Most of the residents of the colony are poor casual labourers and they are distraught by the loss of their property.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire might have started accidentally by a piece smoldering charcoal that was thrown into a dunghill. Residents were at work when the tragedy took place. On noticing the thick smoke, villagers immediately contacted the Fire Department. However, by the time fire tenders from Chamarajanagar arrived at the spot, the fire had spread to nearby haystacks, plants and houses.
The firemen were successful in extinguishing the fire after 3 hours of operation. Eyewitnesses reported that non-availability of water resulted in more property damage. Fire tenders had to refill water from nearby ponds and lakes.
Chamarajanagar District In-Charge Minister Geetha Mahadevaprasad visited Kaggala village on March 1 and examined the relief work underway. She also distributed compensation to the affected families from her personal funds. The families whose haystack was burnt down received Rs 2000 each and those whose houses were damaged received Rs 5000 each.