Fire guts houses in refugee camp in India

Over 120 houses in a Sri Lankan refugee camp at Virudhunagar, Mottamalai in India were gutted when a major fire broke out, police said.

The incident took place Saturday evening damaging all the houses in the camp. No casualties were reported, however, they said, adding, property worth about Rs 200,000 was destroyed.

Officials suspect short circuit to be the reason behind the fire.

Three fire tenders from Rajapalayam and Srivilliputhur doused the flames after a two hour battle. Indian Backward Class Welfare State Minister K K S S R Ramachandran visited the camp and distributed food, essential items and saris. The Minister said Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had ordered payment of Rs 2,000, five kg of rice and two litres of kerosene for the 60 affected families.

"The houses will be rebuilt," he said.

PTI