Noida: The Noida administration has extended relief to approximately 50 residents of a slum cluster in Gharbara village, Greater Noida, following a fire that broke out on Sunday evening. The blaze destroyed eight huts and affected more than 25 others, officials said.
Cause and Immediate Response
Officials stated that the fire was caused by a nearby electric pole. The administration has arranged food and shelter for the affected residents. According to district officials, the fire broke out around 5 p.m. and spread rapidly through the densely packed settlement, reducing eight huts to ashes within minutes. Thick smoke and towering flames could be seen from a distance, causing panic among residents as they rushed to salvage belongings and move family members to safety.
Firefighting Efforts
Officials from the fire department reported that two fire tenders were dispatched immediately after receiving information about the incident. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control before it could consume the entire cluster. The flames spread quickly due to the close proximity of the huts and the presence of highly combustible materials such as plastic sheets, wooden frames, cloth, and bamboo used in makeshift structures. No casualties or injuries were reported, but several families lost household items, clothing, and daily essentials.
Impact on Migrant Workers
The affected settlement is home largely to migrant workers employed as sweepers, domestic workers, and security guards in nearby residential societies and commercial establishments. Many residents were left without shelter overnight after their huts were gutted.
Relief Measures
Sub-divisional magistrate (sadar) Ashutosh Gupta visited the site on Monday morning to assess the damage and meet affected families. He said the administration initiated relief measures immediately after the incident. “There are a total of around 50 hutments in the area with over 200 people living here. The administration has provided compensation of Rs 8,000 per family to 15 families who have been left homeless due to the fire. They are also being provided food and temporary shelter,” Gupta said.
Recent Similar Incident
This incident comes weeks after another major slum fire in the Kanavani area of Indirapuram, where over 150 jhuggies were gutted earlier this month, leaving nearly 1,000 people homeless. No fatalities were reported in that incident either.
