Chandigarh: Former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed their condolences with the families of those who lost their lives following the collapse of a five storeyed building which was engulfed by fire in Ludhiana yesterday.

Expressing their heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved families, both the former CM and the SAD president said it was a real tragedy that six persons including two firemen and a municipal corporation official lost their lives in the building collapse after the fire had been doused while many others were trapped in the debris.

Among the victims is MC official Laxman Dravid, a Valmikhi community representative who was closely associated with the SAD. The leaders expressed deep shock at the demise of Dravid whom they said had always worked assiduously for the welfare of the dalit community.

Asking the government to complete a speedy probe into the matter to pin point safety violations if any, the Akali leaders said a special drive should be launched to ensure all industrial units were enforcing fire safety regulations in their building premises.

The former CM and the SAD president also asked the government to announce an adequate compensation to the families of the deceased as well as to those injured in the tragedy.