Reduced to ashes: Remembering the lives that lie buried among the rubble

Residents help each other piece their lives together as no help forthcoming from government.

KARACHI: "This was my childhood home," said a 40-year-old man in a trembling voice, pointing towards a pile of rubble.

Residents have still not have been able to determine how many houses were damaged in the timber market fire. The shop owners, who will have to estimate their losses, have also not been able to accurately assess the damage.

In spite of their own losses, however, the residents and shop owners are anxious for the scores of daily-wage workers who have been deprived of their jobs that supported their families. "No need to write my name. Just imagine I had a home on this very spot until two days ago," said the man. He was still grateful that none of his family members were hurt in the incident.

The worst affected was the Soomra Gali, where the fire completely ravaged the houses and shops. Most of the victims belonged to the Soomra and Agria communities. Over 30 houses in the Peelo Compound, adjacent to Soomra Gali, have also been badly damaged.

The investigation committees will have to ascertain where the fire erupted and why. Meanwhile, the residents claim the fire started from a warehouse located in the very centre of the street.

"The first house to catch fire was my cousin's," Mohammad Ali Agrio told The Express Tribune. He said that all five rooms of the house caught fire immediately while neighbours scrambled to rescue the family members.

"The fire spread to nearby flats and houses within minutes," Agrio said, adding that it was very difficult to rescue people and attempt to control the fire until the fire tenders arrived.

According to a rough estimate by the residents, over 200 families have been rendered homeless. All are living with relatives settled in the area.

Ironically, the families were not provided relief goods until Monday evening. "Let them [political parties] level their scores," said a shopkeeper, whose house had burned to the ground. "No one has come to ask our women and children about their pain."

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2014.