71 gypsies’ huts gutted in fire at Mannargudi

Mannargudi: As many as 71 huts of gypsies (Narikoravas) were destroyed in a fire mishap near the railway station at Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district on Wednesday.

The police said 93 gypsies were residing in their huts in the area, in which the fire broke out in a dwelling belonging to Krishnan. But it quickly spread all over their settlement due to heavy winds, destroying 71 huts in the process.

Since most of the occupants had stayed out of their homes, there was no loss of life, even as a few of them who had stayed in rushed out to escape unhurt.

The damaged caused by the fire is estimated to be worth several lakh rupees, including the gypsies’ household articles, TV sets, etc.

On information, fire and rescue service department personnel from Mannargudi and Needamangalam rushed to the spot and put out the flames. The cause of the fire is believed to be an electrical short circuit.

Tiruvarur collector M. Mathivanan, Mannargudi RDO Surabi, municipal chairman T. Sudha and others visited the site and consoled the affected.