Madurai, September 05: Properties worth Rs seven lakh have been destroyed in a fire that broke out in a settlement at the foothills of Palani temple near here, police said today.
A spark in one of the houses last evening ignited the thatched roof and the fire spread out fast, destroying about ten houses. Television sets and other articles in the houses were burnt to ashes, police said.
In another mishap, 57 houses destroyed in a fire that broke out in the slum areas at Azhvarpuram, Puliyanthoppu and Melakkratheru here yesterday evening.
Fire broke out in one of the houses spread over the surrounding houses and most of the residents, who were at home when the mishap occured, ran out of the house. Fire and safety personnel rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire.
Corporation officials arranged temporary shelter for the victims at the Corporation School and provided them with water and food, police said.
Properties worth few thousands of rupees were turned to ashes in another fire that broke out in a marriage hall at Sivakasi in Virdhunagar district yesterday.
The marriage party had arranged for a fire work display on the road, outside the hall. The decorated stage caught fire and was gutted down, they said.
Fire and safety personnel from Sivakasi rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire. Four motor bikes which were parked under the stage gutted by fire, police added.
—Agencies