Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Mar 25: Altogether 54 houses were gutted and 22 others partially damaged in a major fire accident at Kaying village in the vicinity of Kaying town in Siang district on Wednesday.
The fire broke out at about 10.40 am when most of the male members of the village were busy in construction of local fencing to stop mithuns from trespassing into their village, while others were out in their paddy fields. Household properties, livestock and stored edible items were lost in the fire.
The cause of the inferno was yet to be ascertained. There was, however, no report of loss of any human life albeit a lady receiving minor injury, according to an official release here.
The Deputy Commissioner of Siang district, meanwhile, constituted a committee headed by Extra Assistant Commissioner of Kaying to assess the extent of property losses. He has been directed to submit the report within 48 hours.
Moreover, the DC, as per the laid down norms, has sanctioned Rs 1.62 lakh for immediate relief of the fire-hit families.
Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao, in a telephonic chat with the Siang DC, announced to provide Rs 15 lakh for the Kaying fire victims. Besides, Union Minister of State for Sports & Youth Affairs Kiren Rijiju also assured to provide relief immediately.
Expressing solidarity with the fire affected, Pasighat West MLA & former MP Ninong Ering has donated Rs one lakh as relief and Rs 10 lakh worth CGI sheets from his MLALAD fund.
Meanwhile, the Gambo Welfare Society appreciated the 1st Arunachal Scouts battalion team of Kaying headed by Soitoram Darang for risking their life to douse the fire. The 1st Arunachal Scouts team was later joined by Indian Army of Kumaon regiment, who came all the way from Aalo to contain the fire. It also hailed the Nino Welfare Society for helping out the fire victims.