Central Assembly constituency MLA Dr Ajay Gupta on Friday visited the fire-ravaged Bansa Wala Bazaar in the Rambagh area along with SDM-1 Alka Kalia and other administrative officials to assess damage caused by a massive blaze that gutted over 30 shops and claimed one life.
One person, identified as Kharati Lal (75) of Prem Nagar, Batala Road, died in the incident. The market, known for bamboo goods and related items, suffered extensive losses after a devastating fire broke out on Thursday.
During the visit, Dr Gupta said the Punjab government would extend every possible assistance to the affected families and traders. He said officials had been deputed to conduct a detailed survey of losses suffered by shopkeepers and prepare a comprehensive report, on the basis of which financial aid would be provided.
“The government stands firmly with the affected families. A proper assessment of the losses is being carried out to ensure compensation reaches all those impacted,” he said.
Nine fire tenders of the Municipal Corporation, a fire vehicle from the Amritsar Sewa Samiti and a hydraulic platform vehicle were pressed into service to bring the blaze under control.
Among others who accompanied him were AAP organisation in-charge Harpreet Singh Ahluwalia, Dr Sarthak Gupta, ward in-charge and others.
Over two dozen shops were gutted in the fire, causing extensive damage. The blaze spread rapidly due to dry leaves and bamboo stairs in the area. Shopkeepers and residents alleged that fire brigade teams reached the spot late, by which time the fire had already engulfed the market. They said the fire broke out following sparking in dangling power lines.
A police official said illegal encroachments on the road and dangling wires obstructed the movement of fire brigade teams. He added that the rush of people near the site also delayed rescue operations.
