Three people were killed and hundreds rendered homeless on Thursday in a devastating fire which swept through a sprawling slum in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta, officials said.
The fire broke out at about 6:00 am (1230 GMT) in the Topsia slum on the outskirts of the city, a fire brigade official said.
Twenty fire engines rushed to combat the fire, which continued to burn until late afternoon.
The fire spread quickly as strong winds fanned its flames reducing over 800 houses to ashes.
The bodies of the three people were retrieved by fire fighters, who said the death toll could rise -- CALCUTTA (AFP)
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