Most of the 30 migrant families that lost their homes and possessions in a fire last weekend in Pudong of Shanghai have been given compensation and relocated to permanent housing.

The families, who earlier in the week complained about inadequate living conditions in their temporary lodgings, have received compensation of 5,000 yuan (US$602) to 12,000 yuan from Dalu Village Committee.

"The fire victims started to move to their new places on Wednesday after getting money," said a village committee member surnamed Xu. "We are now negotiating with the last five families, and the 20 members of these families are still living in a school with three meals a day provided by us."

The fire, which swept through a shantytown that was home to 30 families, began when a shopkeeper was transferring liquefied petroleum gas from one bottle to another and the gas ignited.

The panicked residents ran from their homes without their belongings. The shopkeeper suffered serious burns, but no one else was injured.

The homeless were initially settled in four classrooms at a village school.

In addition to the government aid, Sue Ferry, a Canadian who does volunteer charity work, brought 30 boxes of new clothes, toys and shampoo to the school yesterday.

Ferry said she and her friends decided to offer help after reading reports in Shanghai Daily.

(Shanghai Daily June 25, 2005)