78 thatched houses gutted in Bihar

At least 78 thatched houses were gutted in two fire incidents in Bihar's Purnia and East Champaran districts today.
A major fire broke out at Balutola village under Sarsi police station in Purnia district razing down 50 thatched houses belonging to the dalit people, Deputy Superintendent of Police V K Paswan said.
Sacks of wheat and household goods worth Rs 50 lakh were gutted in the blaze the reason of which was under investigation.
In the second incident, at least 28 houses were burnt in a fire at Goria village under Shikarganj police station in East Champaran district destroying properties valued at Rs five lakh.

Several cattleheads were also charred to death, the police said.
Sub-Divisional Officer Sitaram Das has gone to the village to distribute relief materials among the affected people, he said.