At least 10 people, including five women and three children, on Friday were burnt alive at Harinagar Tola in Tarar village under Daudnagar police station of Aurangabad district when a fire engulfed hundreds of houses in the village.
The victims are said to have come to attend marriage ceremony in the village. “A dwelling constructed under Indira Awas Yojna (IAY) caught fire and 10 people, taking rest there, could not come out of the main entrance and were roasted alive inside,” said Sub-Divisional police officer, Sanjay Kumar. He said it appeared the victims could not open the door.
The fire spread wide and fast because of the westerly wind blowing in the State for last several days. However, later, fire was doused with assistance of fire tenders and local people, said Mr. Kumar.
On Thursday over 200 huts were caught in fire in Jehanabad district but no life was lost. In the heat wave blowing across the State incidents of fire have been reported from several places.
The Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has asked the district officials of Aurangabad district to give Rs. 4 lakh compensation to the families of the victims immediately.
