7 May 2024: In response to a catastrophic fire that ravaged a slum cluster near Jalvayu Tower in Gurugram’s Sector 56 on May 3, the Society for Bright Future (SBF) swiftly mobilized support for the affected families. Led by Mohammad Yunus, State Convener of SBF in Haryana, the team, alongside volunteers, immediately assessed the situation on the ground. Tragically, the blaze razed 125 huts to the ground, leaving over 400 individuals in dire need of assistance.
While food and water are available, the victims urgently require clothing, bedding, and mosquito nets, as communicated to Mr. Yunus. SBF is actively engaged in providing relief to the impacted families.
Reports suggest that it took nearly five hours for the authorities to quell the inferno, which erupted due to a gas leak in one of the slums, leading to cylinder explosions. The slum, home to more than 1,500 residents occupying over 1,000 shanties, served as a dwelling for many employed in nearby areas, including the Banjara Market.
Gulshan Kalra, Deputy Director (Technical) of Haryana Fire Services overseeing the fire station at Sector 29, disclosed that the fire erupted around 10:40 am near the Banjara Market. Nine fire tenders, with a team of 40 firefighters, promptly responded to the distress call, but one section of the slum had already succumbed to flames, necessitating hours of arduous efforts to douse the fire. Fortunately, approximately 800 huts were salvaged from the blaze.
Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, reassured affected residents of arrangements for food and accommodation. He emphasized the initiation of measures to document losses and provide essential aid for recovery, with dedicated support teams stationed at the site to assist and coordinate with victims.
