When the leaping flames took hold within no time

Aftab Madni

More than 500 houses were reduced to ashes when a fire broke out in Vikaryo village near Islamkot town of Tharparkar district on May 10.

The fire, blamed on a short-circuit, broke out in a thatched cottage and quickly spread to other houses due to strong winds.

Within no time, more than 500 thatched cottages were burnt to a cinder. Around seven people were injured, while more than 100 cattle were killed.

The inmates barely managed to escape, leaving everything behind.

As a result, household goods, food, clothes, fodder etc were turned into a heap of ashes before their eyes.

The Sindh Branch of Pakistan Red Crescent (PRC) immediately dispatched its Tharpakar team to the area.

According to initial reports, the fire displaced 275 families forcing them to settle in camps set up by the district administration, while the humanitarian organizations are providing food, water and other necessary items.

The PRC Tharparkar branch distributed 200 utensils and 250 Jerry cans among the affected people on an urgent basis.

The PRC Sindh Chairperson Mrs. Farzhana Naek said the PRC was everywhere for everyone needing help.

She further said the affected villagers were in urgent need of kitchen sets, hygiene kits and clothing along with non-food items (NFIs).

She urged all philanthropists to join hands with the PRC to help and support the displaced families.

Tharparkar district is prone to fire incidents during April to July every year because of strong winds and storms resulting from extremely hot weather.

As a result, thatched cottages catch fire all of a sudden forcing the communities to run for life.

This was the second incident of its nature in the last two months this year. The villages were completely destroyed in both incidents.

Program Manager PMER (planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting) Javed Mazhar had a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner Tharparkar at his office.

The deputy commissioner appreciated immediate response of the PRC and provided a list of 271 affected people.

Box pictures caption

PRC officials distribute non-food items among 200 flood victims of Hub/Gaddani.