Phakant, 3 February 

A fire broke out in a house in the village of Seikmu in Phakant township, Kachin state yesterday evening. 

The fire, which was likely to be caused by a gas explosion, broke out at 7:30 pm in the house of U Naing Oo and spread to other four houses in the surroundings. Local fire fighters, policemen, military men were pressed into services to put out the fire together with nine fire engines as well as seven water trucks and a backhoe from jewellery companies. 

The fire was extinguished after half and an hour later. The fire destroyed five houses and left 30 people homeless, with no casualties. The victims were being accommodated by their relatives and friends.

 Local police officials pressed criminal charges against U Naing Oo, 54 for careless use of fire at Phakant Myoma Police Station.—Ta Lin Maung (IPRD) 

Translated by Aung Zaw Lin