Fire near American embassy kills three children

Three siblings, all under seven, are charred to death and four people are critically injured when a major fire engulfed a slum cluster near the American embassy in New Delhi's Chankayapuri area.

Three siblings, all under seven, were charred to death and four people were critically injured when a major fire engulfed a slum cluster near the American embassy in New Delhi's Chankayapuri area.

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The incident occurred late on Sunday killing Musharraff Hassan, 7, Muzzafar Hassan, 5, and Kohinoor, 4. The victims were immediately taken to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where they were declared brought dead.

Four people who sustained major burns injuries - identified as Shamsuddin, 40, Muslima, 35, Jarina, 12, and Barina, 3 - were also rushed to the same hospital. Their condition is reported to be critical.

According to a fire official, eight fire tenders battled for an hour before the fire was doused. At least 25 shanties, built with highly flammable polyester and wood, were destroyed in the fire.

"We have registered a case and initial investigations suggest that short circuit could be the cause of the fire," said a police official.