Two die, 100 houses gutted in fire in Malda district

Two persons died and several others suffered burn injuries in a fire that destroyed 100 houses at Vidyanandapur village in Malda district today, rendering at least 500 people homeless.
The fire, which claimed the lives of a two-year-old child and a 65-year-old woman, first started in a house at around 3 PM and quickly spread to the adjoining houses, Block Development Officer (BDO) of Harischandrapur Biplab Ray said.
The houses, mostly thatched with tin rooves, were reduced to ashes in a matter of minutes before two fire engines arrived, he said.
Ray said that the fire has been brought under control and that the district administration is making arrangements to provide temporary shelter and food to the homeless.

Thirty persons with severe burn injuries were referred to the Malda Medical College by a local health centre where they were initially admitted, he said.