Eight killed in Maharashtra fire

At least eight migrant workers were killed in a major fire that swept through a timber warehouse in Bhiwandi town early Saturday.

Initially, five people had suffocated to death. Four others, who had suffered burns were admitted to local hospitals. Out of them, three succumbed to their injuries.

According to Thane police, the blaze was reported at 2 a.m. in the timber goods warehouse in Mankoli.

The fire fighters managed to rescue another three injured people alive while eight lost their lives in the fire, police said.

The cause of the fire has not been ascertained yet but it was brought under control by daybreak after a four-hour operation.

Among the dead are north Indian and Nepali migrant workers, but their identity is yet to be determined.