Three die in fire in Meghalaya

Three persons, including two children, were charred and shops reduced to ashes when a fire broke out near Sohkomphor market in East Jaintia hills district, police said today.

The three were fast asleep when the blaze started at about 11 PM yesterday in the house located near the market. The dead were identified as -- Durka Lyngdoh (19), her 8-month-old baby and her niece Hasina Lyngdoh (3).

14 shops were destroyed after the fire spread, they said, adding that its cause is under investigation.