BRATISLAVA, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out on early Sunday at a Roma settlement in Mirkovce village in Slovakia's Presov region, destroying six homes and leaving 39 people homeless, local authorities said.
"Today's fire in the Roma settlement has affected six families, a total of 39 people, including 15 adults and 24 children," Mirkovce Mayor Marian Engel said.
The displaced residents are currently staying in a hall at the municipal office, Engel said, adding that the municipal council has declared a state of emergency following the fire.
The municipality has provided the affected families with meals, while mattresses, bed linen, towels and other essential supplies have been obtained from civil protection warehouses of Slovakia's Interior Ministry, according to the mayor. ■