Udupi: Migrant Labourers Lose Home, Gold, Life Savings in Fire
 
Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD)
 
Udupi, Jun 10: A hut of migrant labourers located behind the agriculture department office at Adi Udupi here was gutted in fire at around 9 am on Sunday June 10.

The hut belonged to Devamma and Rudrappa. The loss has been estimated at Rs 1.5 lac.

Devamma had left for work after cooking on firewood on Sunday morning. Her husband Rudrappa also left for work soon after. A girl from a nearby hut alerted the locals about the fire blazing in the hut. The burning firewood was believed to be the cause for the fire.

Students staying in a nearby hostel rushed to extinguish fire using water from taps at the hostel. Their swift action saved other huts as the fire threatened spreading. In all 16 families are living in huts at the site owned by the town council.

Rudrappa and Devamma life savings of Rs 1 lac in cash, 20 grams of gold jewellery, grains, pulses and clothes were gutted in the fire. The couple urged the town council to provide them an alternative accommodation. The couple has ration card and voter IDs.
 
None of the council officials visited the spot and the couple has not lodged a complaint with police. It is said that they did not feel the need to inform the fire brigade as the neighbouring students and locals helped in extinguishing the fire. Their efforts prevented the fire from spreading to other huts.