2 children die as shanties catch fire

Two children were burnt to death when their makeshift hut at a construction site in Mira Road (East) caught fire on Monday.

Two children were burnt to death when their makeshift hut at a construction site in Mira Road (East) caught fire on Monday.

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Temporary tin huts had been built to provide shelter to labourers, who were working for a local builder at construction site in Kanakia area.

On Monday morning, fire broke out in one of the huts, which spread and soon engulfed three other sheds.

All four huts were gutted in the blaze and two children — six-month-old Aisha and her two-year-old elder sister Jharna — who were sleeping inside one of the huts, were killed.

Aisha and Jharna were trapped as the flames engulfed their hut and were unable to find their way out.

When this mishap occurred, the girls’ father was away at work at the construction site while their mother was washing clothes nearby.

Although locals tried to douse the flames, but failed in their attempt to control it.

Fire officials said the cause of fire is yet to ascertained.

A police officer of Mira Road police station said, “We have registered a case of accidental death.

“We will question the builder in this matter. It is illegal to provide shelter without installing basic fire safety facilities,” he added.