At least 17 people were burned to death in a major fire at Bargi village in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district on Friday. Four people were also injured in the fire. Among them, one is said to be in critical condition. According to reports, the fire was controlled after hectic efforts of two fire tender vehicles.
The fire broke out at a kerosene distribution centre in the village around 45 kms from Chhindwara district headquarters. In a single-storey building, a Public Distribution System (PDS) shop was operational in a small room.
On Friday afternoon, when the villagers had gathered inside the shop for getting kerosene, all of a sudden the fire broke out and it engulfed the entire stock of the kerosene in no time and the villagers got stuck inside.
On receipt of information, the locals went to rescue the trapped villagers but could not do much and later two fire tender vehicles from Chhindwara pressed into service. The charred bodies of several victims have been recovered. The District Collector and the SP also reached the spot later, However, the exact toll is still being ascertained.
According to SP Gaurav Tiwari, 13 persons including nine males and four females have died. local MlA Kamlesh Shah has declared Rs 10,000 compensation to kin of each deceased.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 to those who are seriously injured.
On the directives of the Chief Minister, in-charge Minister of Chhindwara, Gaurishankar Bisen left for the spot in the evening from Mohankheda (Indore district), where he was participating in the State executive meeting of the BJP.