Three children died and as many other members of the family were critically injured in a fire mishap at their thatched house here today, police said.
The incident occurred when the children - all under-7 - were playing in the house located in Raninagar area of Old Town.
"The children accidentally tumbled over a petrol can which rolled off in a firewood stove causing a blast that was followed by blaze," said circle inspector G Madhav.
The children, including a girl, and three women - all sisters - were rushed to a local hospital where the children died while the condition of three women is critical, he said.
The injured are identified as Mutyalamma, Saraswathi and Sreelakshmi.
Police said the sisters were living together in the joint family and work as labourers.
