Nearly 3,000 Left Homeless After Rangoon Blaze

by Maung Dee

Monday, 25 February 2008 00:00

New Delhi – Nearly 3,000 people in Rangoon's suburban Hlaing Tharyar Township are homeless after a fire broke out this morning at Ye Oat Kaan village near Industrial Zone (4). An official of the Township said the fire erupted at about 7 a.m. (local time) in a two-storey building and spread to other houses, consuming a total of 201 houses and leaving 2,969 people homeless. "The fire started at about 7 a.m. in the residence of U Myint Than on Aung Thukha Street. It started as people on the upper stairwell were cooking," according to the official. The official added that the 1,260 women and 1,709 men from the 768 houses that were consumed by the fire were temporarily being put up and provided aid at Basic Primary School No. (16), located on Kya Sitta Street. Reportedly, a case has been filed by Hlaing Tharyar police officer Aung San Tun against U Myint Than (a.k.a. U Myint San), age 49, owner of the house where the fire originated. According to the official the fire caused estimated damage of over 33 million kyat (approximately $25,000).   < Prev   Next >