Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur

Kundapur, Feb 11: An accidental fire broke out at the SLRM unit of Belve Gram Panchayat on the evening of February 11, resulting in a loss worth lacs of rupees. The building was completely gutted in the blaze.

Thick smoke was noticed after the fire erupted at the SLRM unit, prompting local residents to inform the gram panchayat.

Former gram panchayat president S Chandrashekar Shetty Surgoli, along with local youths, made strenuous efforts to douse the fire. Water was brought through a local tanker in an attempt to control the flames.

The fire brigade was informed, but by the time personnel arrived from Karkala, the building had already been completely destroyed. As the SLRM unit is located in a deserted area, a major disaster was averted.

Garbage had been accumulating at the SLRM unit for the past one year, and no disposal had taken place. Despite the gram panchayat writing several letters to the zilla panchayat and the deputy commissioner, the zilla panchayat had not extended cooperation in clearing the waste, said former gram panchayat president S Chandrashekar Shetty.