Wind-Whipped Fire Razes 700 Houses In Burma

A huge fire gutted more than 700 houses in the city of Pegu, 50 miles north of Rangoon, state broadcasting reported Friday.

No casualties were reported.

State television showed the secretary of the country’s ruling junta, Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, visiting the site of Thursday afternoon’s fire and comforting victims sheltered in schools and monasteries.

The fire, fanned by strong winds, spread quickly and destroyed 745 homes. The city, also known as Bago, was the capital of Burma in the 16th century.

Khin Nyunt ordered local authorities to quickly distribute relief goods such as kitchen utensils, blankets and clothing to the victims.