A report regarding kindling of fire that claimed at least nine lives and devoured the whole village in Dadu was presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident, besides announcing compensation for the affectees, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The affectees of Dadu village fire alleged on Thursday that the fire was ignited on purpose as it was result of rivalry between two parties over irrigation water issue.

Talking to media, the affectees said that an altercation broke out between two parties over irrigation water on January 26. The opponents threatened to burn our children and houses, they alleged.

As many as nine people lost their lives, more than 100 houses were burnt down and over 500 cattle perished in the raging fire. Investigations by police are underway.

After receiving the report, the prime minister directed the district authorities to provide all possible help to the affectees for their rehabilitation while announcing a package of Rs10 million compensation.

Expressing his sorrow at the heart-wrenching incident, the premier said that the whole nation shared the grief of those who lost their near and dear ones in this incident. 

He asked the administration to ensure provision of medical facilities to those who sustained injuries in the incident. He also directed it to take such measures that would eliminate chances that such incidents recurred in future. 

Shehbaz said a stern action would be taken against the culprits.

Murad admits slow response 

On the other hand, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah confessed that the local government’s response to the Mehro fire incident was slow. He assured that the authorities would be taken to task for displaying sluggishness.

Shah, however, said that the fire brigade vehicle of the nearby municipal committee was out of order on the day of the fire incident in a village which was located some 30 kilometres from the Mehar town of Dadu district. But he assured that the government will provide all-out help to the affectees. 

According to details, as many as nine children were burnt to death and over 20 men and women sustained severe burn wounds when a fire ravaged through Faiz Mohammad Daryani Chandio village in Dadu district. The blaze which was ignited on April 18 at 9pm and did not die down till next 12 hours, reduced to ashes all 50 houses in the village and perished 150 buffaloes, cows, goats and other animals.