As many as 102 temporary shelters provided to tsunami victims adjoining a dental college in Nagapattinam were totally gutted in a fire Tuesday morning, but no casualties were reported, police said.
The fire broke out while children were lighting crackers on top of the roofs of the sheds, on which thatched leaves had
been spread, police said.
Fire engines from the town and nearby Velankkani rushed to the spot, doused the flames and also saved some more
temporary shelters nearby.
All the belongings of the inmates were destroyed, police said District Collector J Radhakrishnan and R Jeevanandam, rushed to the spot and made arrangements to remove the affected people from the spot.
Radhakrishnan told PTI that about 400 people who lived in these shelters had been rendered homeless. They have been accomodated in a nearby marriage hall and would be provided food on Tuesday.
The administration would give each of the families Rs 2000 in cash, five kilograms of rice, a dhoti and a saree, he said.