A massive fire broke out at a Rohingya camp in Haryana’s Nuh District on Sunday, 27 May. It reportedly burnt down around 57 huts, leaving 187 Rohingya refugees homeless. The fire was later contained and no casualties have been reported.
The Times of India reported that the fire was triggered by a short circuit, which was then amplified by the subsequent bursting of cooking gas cylinders.
The families residing in the huts that burnt down, had reportedly been at the SP’s office for fingerprint verification at the time, reported The Hindu. Speaking to the daily, Ali Johar, a Rohingya refugee said: “It is not known as to how the fire broke out. It could be an accident or a conspiracy”.
The families had reportedly set up camp in this region back in May, 2012.
Around 13,000 Rohingya refugees lived across the six camps they had put up in the region, which provided shelter to over 360 families, The Times of India report added.
Saying that they had witnessed a few sparks in the overhead cables at first, Akbar, a Rohingya refugee living in the area, told The Times of India:
We heard some low-intensity blasts and came out of our houses running. There was smoke everywhere and stench of rubber and plastic burning. Some cooking gas cylinders exploded, spreading the fire and burning down the huts.
While the Rohingyas residing in that camp began to start pouring water on the fire in an attempt to contain it, it was only when the permanent residents of the area joined forces with them and a fire-fighting team was rushed to the spot, that it was finally doused. Three fire-tenders had been present at the spot.
While none of the residents suffered any injuries due to the fire, the families residing in the camps that burnt down have lost almost all their belongings.
All we have left are the clothes on our bodies. Even the ID cards of most members in the shelter camp have burnt. Only those who had their cards in their pockets have them now.Jafrullah, Rohingya refugee to The Times of India
However, both the police authorities and the local leaders of that area have promised to help the affected families.
Speaking to The Times of India, Maulana Muhammed Khalid, a community leader said: “The community will come together and ensure that these people are looked after and rehabilitated at the earliest”.
(With inputs from The Hindu and The Times of India)
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