Since morning, NGOs have been making a beeline for the areas, with truckloads of relief material.

Asahnat Naia, one of the homeless who lost everything in the fire, said she was given a sari and food, but it was little consolation.

“I lost everything, including Rs 4,000 that I saved and some jewellery. Now I have nothing,” she said sitting in the makeshift tent.

Many locals have pitched in to help by providing food. Local traders Santosh Sardar and Shyam Deb Das have formed the Jai Maa Tara Bhandar and have been supplying khichdi to the victims.

“We have decided to keep up the food supply till things are a little better. We have pooled in money and others have supplied vegetables,” said Das.

Parliamentarian Shyamal Chakrabarty has donated Rs 1 crore from his MPLADS funds for relief purposes.

“So far, many NGOs are working round the clock to ensure that the people get food and water,” said Rupa Bagchi, the local councillor. “With fires becoming a constant threat in the area we are trying to ensure that the re-building does not happen haphazardly and that there are proper houses instead of shanties,” she added.

A meeting has been scheduled for Thursday with the chief minister for discussion of compensation packages.

Chief secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty, who visited the area on Wednesday, announced that the government was considering a relief package for the family members of the deceased.

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee also visited the victims and told them that the railways officials were working on a plan to provide relief. The fire, she said, was sabotage by “vested interests”.

She added that the land, which had originally been given to actor Mithun Chakrabarty for building a hospital, was being taken back as he had failed to do so. A plan was now being made to construct 650 proper homes for the victims.

The forensic department, meanwhile, visited the site on Thursday morning. Javed Shamim, Jt CP (HQ) said in case foul play is indicated, a case will be lodged at the Ultadanga Police station.