200 houses in Bangladesh slum gutted by fire

CHITTAGONG: A fire gutted more than 200 slum houses in the Bangladeshi port of Chittagong yesterday, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 50, police and fire fighters said.

An official said the fire broke out early yesterday in the Chaktai area of Chittagong city while the slum dwellers were asleep. It may have been caused by a short circuit. An investigation has been ordered.

The list of the victims includes at least three children aged 4, 8 and 16. Local authorities have announced that each family of the dead victims would get a compensation.

Bangladesh is an impoverished country where safety regulations are rarely followed.

Accidents kill hundreds of people every year.

| Reuters A MAN who lost his wife in a fire cries in Chittagong, Bangladesh, yesterday.