Massive Fire in Uttarkashi Village Destroys Eight Buildings, Leaves Eight Families Homeless
A devastating fire, believed to have been triggered by a short circuit, swept through Fitari village in the Mori development block of Uttarkashi district, completely gutting eight buildings and leaving at least eight families without homes. The blaze erupted late on Monday night and spread rapidly due to the wooden construction of the houses and the dense settlement layout, causing extensive damage to the community.
Extensive Damage to Property and Livelihoods
The fire destroyed four five-story residential houses along with four other buildings, reducing them to ashes. In addition to the homes, six nearby grain storehouses, locally known as kuthars, were also consumed by the flames. Tragically, three cows perished in the inferno, adding to the loss for the affected families. The disaster has severely impacted the villagers' shelter and food storage, compounding their hardships.
Swift Response and Rescue Efforts
District disaster management officer Shardul Gusain reported that all residents managed to escape in time, avoiding any human casualties. Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel, fire department teams, and officials from Mori tehsil rushed to the scene immediately. Working alongside local villagers, they battled the flames for nearly seven hours before finally bringing the fire under control through a coordinated joint effort.
Affected Families and Relief Operations
The eight displaced families have taken temporary shelter in nearby houses as relief and rescue operations continue. District magistrate Prashant Arya visited the village on Tuesday morning to personally assess the situation and oversee the ongoing efforts. The disaster management department has identified the destroyed properties, listing houses belonging to:
- Prem Singh
- Kundan Singh
- Ravindra Singh
- Umshal Singh
- Tilak Singh
- Nonyal Singh
- Tajam Dei
- Dudkali Devi
- Virendra Singh
- Suvindra Devi
- Mohan Singh
- Janak Singh
Grain storehouses owned by Janak Singh, Virendra Singh, Prem Singh, Nonyal Singh, Umshal Singh, and Sildar Singh were also completely destroyed, further exacerbating the economic impact on the community.
Ongoing Assessment and Support
Authorities are continuing their assessment of the damage while providing necessary support to the affected families. The incident highlights the vulnerabilities of wooden structures in densely populated rural areas and underscores the importance of fire safety measures. The district administration remains engaged in ensuring that all displaced residents receive adequate assistance during this difficult time.
