Amar Sardar, one of the victims, spent his last four days in the open at the same site where his home stood.

“I was nearby when the fire started, but by the time I returned, I had lost everything. Now, we do not know what we are going to do or where we are going to live,” said Sardar.

Apprehensive of the future, several others like him are at the sole mercy of NGOs and politicians.

Local MLA Rupa Bagchi said the state government is contemplating to rebuild homes and provide the affected residents with all necessary infrastructures.

“The residents have asked for a trunk to stock the relief materials in, which we will provide. We are also providing them with tarpaulin sheets, mosquito nets and clothes. We are also making a list of all the families in the area and are will make temporary homes where they can stay while we rebuild proper houses for them,” said Bagchi.

Shyam Sardar, another resident of the area said: “NGOs will provide us with food till a point in time, but what will happen after that? A few days later everything will be forgotten, and we will have to rebuild from the scratch.”

Bagchi added that the government would give the family of Shyamal Sardar, the only casualty in the incident, a compensation of Rs 2 lakh.

“Mortaza Hussain visited the place today to announce the decision. That apart, the KMC would also give Rs 10,000 to his family,” said Bagchi.