Eight die in Bhind theatre fire, 50 hurt

Eight people were killed and about 50 injured in a major fire at an unauthorised video theatre in this district’s Raun kasba today. Reports said sparking in a high tension power line caused the fire at about 1.30 p.m. Police said the cable passed directly over the theatre, which had more than 100 people inside.

Within seconds, the place was engulfed in flames. Some of the deceased were identified as Harendra Singh (20), Kanhaiya Lal Jatav (25), Ravindra Singh Jatav (25) and Lal Singh (18). All of them died on the spot along with four others. The injured were admitted to hospitals in Raun, Lahar and Bhind. As soon as news of the tragedy was received, senior police officers rushed to the site.