May 18, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 12, 1429

NAUSHAHRO FEROZE, May 17: Twelve houses caught fire in Nawaz Bhan village near Tharushah on Saturday.

According to reports fire gutted six rooms of the houses, two electric poles, and 10 mango trees, along with reducing to ashes 12 wheat bags and other valuables worth Rs1.5 million. Large number of people reached the spot and shifted wheat and animals and saved other houses from the blaze.

One fire brigade reached from Naushaharo Feroze after two hours while none from Bhirya though taluka officials had requested for it. Villagers managed to put out fire on self-help basis.

Abdul Jabbar, a fire victim told reporters that Akrma, Barkat and their father were asked not to stash bran and animals on their plot.

He said on Saturday, the trio began cleaning the plot and as they set the husk on fire strong winds helped the fire in spreading fast though people had expressed similar apprehensions to them before.

Abdul Jabbar lodged an FIR against Akram, Barkat, and Abdul Hakeem with Tharushah police under section 436 PPC. Police had arrested Akram and Barkat.

Victims included Abdul Jabbar, Shahzado, Arbab Ali, Ghulam Hussain, Yasin, Mohammad Suleman, Abdul Qayoom, Mohammad Bux, Irshad, Mumtaz and Ramzan who were planning to file claims of Rs2.5 million.