Child charred, 400 huts gutted in Bihar

Begusarai, Apr 20 (UNI) A child was charred to death and 400 huts were reduced to ashes in a fire that simultaneously affected four villages under Balia police station area in the district today.

Police said the mishap occurred when a hut caught fire while a woman was cooking meal.

The child was burnt to death while other dwellers managed to escape from the spot when the fire broke out.

A strong westerly wind added to the fire brigade's woes.

Police said all the affected huts were located in four surrounding villages--Parmanandpur, Laldiyara, Kasba and Sonbarsha--all under the Balia police station area.

Meanwhile, a report from Samastipur district said about thirty huts were reduced to ashes at Samartha village under Bibhutipur police station area in the district. No casualty was, however, reported in the incident.

UNI XC-KKS PL SB BST2106