NEW DELHI, April 25 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and 14 others injured Thursday in a devastating fire in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, police said.
The fire broke out inside a hotel in a crowded locality near the junction railway station in Patna, the capital city of Bihar.
"A fire broke out in a hotel in close vicinity of Patna junction and the injured have been rescued from the spot using ambulances and removed to the Patna Medical College Hospital. A total of 20 people were admitted in the hospital, out of whom six people have succumbed," a senior police official told media. "The condition of two of the injured is critical and others are out of danger."
According to the police, three of the deceased were women and the identity of the killed people is being ascertained.
Senior fire and emergency department official Mrityunjay Kumar Chaudhary said the firefighters immediately rushed to the spot on receiving a distress call.
She said the fire has been brought under control.
A forensic team of the police department has collected clues to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.
Chances of fire in Indian buildings are often high as owners usually ignore safety standards and store fuel and combustible materials in a haphazard manner. ■
