Fire at community center in New Delhi kills 15

Fire at community center in New Delhi kills 15

2011-11-22 11:13:08 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW DELHI (BNO NEWS) -- At least 15 people were killed on Sunday and dozens more were injured when a large fire broke out at a community center in the Indian capital of New Delhi, local media reported on Monday.

The fire broke out on Sunday evening at a community hall in Nand Nagri in east Delhi where as many as 3,000 people had gathered to participate in a three-day congregation of eunuchs.

Police said at least fifteen people were killed and more than 65 others were injured, the Hindustan Times reported. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, and officials warned the death toll could rise as many people were in a critical condition.

Authorities said the fire first started in the kitchen of the community center and quickly spread to other parts of the hall. "A suspected short-circuit in a tent where the program was being held led to the incident," a senior fire official told the newspaper.

According to reports, the organizers of the program had not sought permission from the Delhi Fire Service to hold such a large gathering. An investigation was launched on Monday to determine whether the venue had adequate fire safety measures, including emergency exits.

The convention was attended by eunuchs from across India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The term eunuch is used to describe transvestites, transsexuals, and people who see themselves as neither male or female.

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