Expressing deep grief over the Ashirwad Tower fire accident at Jorapokhar area in Dhanbad Chief Minister Hemant Soren today announced that Rs 4 lakh compensation would be given to the next of kin of the deceased by the state government. In a tweet the CM wrote, “The state government has directed to give a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the family members of the people who died in Dhanbad's Ashirwad Apartment and other accidents in the past. The district administration has also been directed to provide proper treatment and other facilities to the people injured in the accident.
The fire that broke out in Ashirwad Tower located at Jorafatak in Dhanbad on Tuesday evening claimed 14 lives. All those who died belonged to the same family. Due to this fire, an atmosphere of panic was established in the entire area. The fire started in such a terrible way that even 20 fire engines had to struggle to control it. According to the locals, dozens of people were taken out of the apartment and admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Singh said that an inquiry into the causes of fire at Ashirvad tower has begun. Appropriate legal action would be taken against the builder if any irregularity would be found, he said.
Sources said fire department, electricity department, besides others have been asked to give reports on different aspects of the issue. Similar inquiry would be initiated for other apartments too.
Sikhs of the area have come out in rescue of those who lost everything in fire.
Fourteen persons including 10females one male and three kids had died and 14 others had sustained injuries in this incident. The most affected was the family of Subodh Srivastava, who lost his wife, parents and son in this incident.
Family members had gathered for the marriage ceremony of Swati, daughter of Subodh. As the tragedy broke the marriage was performed in simple ceremony.
The Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee of the Gurudwara just opposite the affected building arranged langar for all those affected in the fire. Rajendar Singh of the committee said, all arrangements of their food and other requirements are being looked after by the committee.
In another move, a forensic team from Ranchi reached Dhanbad for assessing the causes of fire in the apartment today.
In another move, leaders from JMM general secretary Vinod Pandey and health minister Banna Gupta reached Dhanbad and met victims.
It’s worth mentioning that the PM has announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakhs for family of the dead and Rs 50,000 for injured.