Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Apr 29: The shelter for widows located behind UBMC church here caught fire suddenly at around 12 pm on Saturday April 29. In this fire, the entire building including its roof, beams, some clothes etc were consumed by fire. The only woman who was inside the facility at the time, ran out and saved herself just in time.
This shelter houses three ladies, Celestine Salins, Gracy, and Sofia Bangera. Two among them had gone out on work, while the other lady was cooking by using firewood. Sparks from the fire reportedly fell on stack of firewood which soon turned into a huge fire.
Although gas cylinders were also inside the kitchen, fortunately they did not catch fire. The locals alerted fire brigade which immediately rushed to the spot and doused the fire. By then, most of the things inside the building were destroyed, but some items like clothes which were hurriedly thrown outside with the help of locals, were saved.
District in-charge minister, Pramod Madhwaraj, visited the site and handed over compensation of Rs 5,000 to each of the three women. He promised to further take up with the government and try for disbursal of maximum compensation.
Total loss estimated in this incident is two lac rupees. The ladies have been provided temporary shelter elsewhere.