Eight children, woman killed as fire wreaks havoc in Dadu

• Fire in Dadu kills nine, injures several others. 
• PM Shehbaz assures relief and compensation to families of victims. 
• Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari takes notice of incident.

SUKKUR: At least eight children and a woman lost their lives and several others were injured after a fire erupted at night in Dadu district, reducing more than 50 houses to ashes, reported The News on Wednesday.

The fire reportedly broke out in the kitchen of a small hut. 

The news report said that eight children, including a woman, succumbed to the fire, which rapidly engulfed the surrounding locality, comprising around 50 or more houses.

The residents claimed that more than 160 livestock had also burnt to death, while some crops were also damaged, along with other valuables. They said despite various calls to the authorities concerned, the fire tenders did not reach the spot, claiming that no government functionary had turned up at the village.

The police shifted the bodies and injured to a nearby hospital for medico-legal formalities. 

The villagers later held a protest against the administration, urging the Sindh chief minister to take notice of the indifferent attitude. They said the deputy commissioner of Dadu and other officials had arrived after 12 hours. The elders of the villages demanded the authorities completely rehabilitate all the damaged houses and pay compensation immediately.

PM Shehbaz assures relief, compensation to families of victims

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the federal government will take measures to provide relief to the families of the victims. 

The prime minister asked Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah to furnish a comprehensive report, including a copy of the FIR, the cause of the fire, and the loss of lives, properties and livestock. He also told the Sindh CM to start immediate relief and rehabilitation operations for the fire victims and to announce compensation for them.

Bilawal takes notice of incident

Taking notice of the incident, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari talked to the Sindh CM to ensure relief work for victims. 

CM Shah — while expressing his grief and sorrow over the deaths in the incident — directed the district administration to step up the rescue operation to control the fire and provide medical facilities to the injured. The chief minister said that he must be updated on every single development pertaining to the relief operation. He also directed the police to assist the district administration in the operation.