Residents are in need of relief assistance after a fire raged through an area of Rangoon on 16 February, destroying their homes.

The village of Balotenyunt in Kyimyindaing Township was burnt almost entirely to the ground, and more than 8,000 people have been taking shelter at an emergency relief camp set up in the compound of a local monastery.

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It has been reported that the fire started because of a still-lit stove. More than 160 houses, including those made from thatching, wood and concrete, were destroyed. The blaze was eventually extinguished at around 9pm on Monday after a response from 47 fire trucks from fire stations across the city.

A separate fire broke out just a few hours later in Magwe Division’s Yenanchaung in central Burma, causing the destruction of over 300 trader spaces in the market. The fire was brought under control with assistance from fire fighters from the nearby towns of Chuck, Kyaukpadaung, Magwe, Gwecho and Seikphyu.

The area’s Border and Security Affairs Minister told DVB that the source of the Yenanchaung blaze is as yet unknown.