LUCKNOW: Hundreds of residents returned to the devastated Vikas Nagar slum cluster on Thursday morning, days after a massive fire ravaged their homes. Sifting through layers of soot and debris, many were left with little more than the clothes on their backs, their hopes of recovering valuables dashed as the scale of the destruction became starkly apparent in the daylight.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that men, women, and children were seen meticulously searching through the charred remains, their faces etched with despair. The remnants of their lives – burnt steel cupboards, twisted trunks, damaged bicycles, and melted utensils – lay scattered amidst the ruins. In some instances, half-burnt vegetables remained inside kitchen racks, a poignant reminder of meals that would never be cooked.
The lingering smell of smoke hung heavy in the air, with small patches of debris continuing to emit fumes. One shocking discovery included a refrigerator, which upon opening, revealed traces of fire still smouldering within, underscoring the intensity of the blaze.
For many, the losses transcended material possessions, delving into the deeply personal. Deepa, a domestic worker, spoke of the painstaking effort she had invested over the years to build her household, collecting items piece by piece. “Now nothing remains,” she lamented, her voice choked with emotion.
Another woman recounted the loss of her savings and jewellery, accumulated through years of hard work as a domestic helper, raising five children as a widow. “All my savings are now gone!” she cried, highlighting the devastating financial blow to families already struggling to make ends meet.
A man from Mahmoodabad in Sitapur, who had resided in the cluster, revealed that goods worth approximately ₹2 to ₹3 lakh, intended for a family wedding, were destroyed. He had even taken out a loan of ₹50,000, all of which, he stated, had been consumed by the fire.
Similar stories of heartbreak emerged, with one woman reporting the complete destruction of jewellery and clothes kept in her cupboard. A 55-year-old resident claimed that ₹4,000 in cash, representing her family’s entire savings, was lost in the blaze.
Suresh, a daily wage earner, expressed his fears that some of his goats might have perished in the fire, adding another layer of livelihood loss to the devastation.
Deepak (25), who earns a living as a drummer at events, was away at work when the fire broke out on Wednesday evening. Upon his return, he could only witness the inferno consuming his belongings. “My motorcycle, bicycle and all the ration I had stocked recently are gone. I am left with just the clothes I am wearing,” he said, encapsulating the totality of his loss.
The disaster followed a massive fire that ignited in the slum cluster on Wednesday evening, gutting an estimated 200 shanties and causing widespread panic among residents. Officials reported that the blaze, which originated in a vacant plot near the Ring Road, spread with alarming speed due to strong winds and the abundance of flammable materials within the densely packed huts.
Firefighting efforts were reportedly hampered by the explosion of small LPG cylinders stored inside the dwellings. While no human casualties were reported, the fire left hundreds homeless and displaced, with families scattered in the chaos as they fled to safety. Authorities had confirmed that the fire was brought under control after several hours and an investigation has been initiated to determine its exact cause.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had directed officials to expedite relief and rehabilitation measures for those affected. However, on Thursday, the immediate concern for the residents of the Vikas Nagar slum cluster remained survival and coming to terms with the sudden, devastating loss of their homes, savings, and livelihoods, all reduced to ashes overnight.
The Chenab Times News Desk