The blaze started at a thatched kitchen room and soon engulfed the whole area, leaving about 100 families homeless and causing an estimated loss of Tk 75 lakh.

Fire fighters from Thakurgaon and Pirganj brought the blaze under control after a struggle for nearly two hours.

The injured people, who received severe burns, are now undergoing treatment at Ranishankoil Health Complex and Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital.

The fire victims are passing their days under the open sky.

Md Abdul Mannan, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Ranishankoil, visited the area yesterday and assured the victims of arranging relief for them, official sources said.

Meanwhile, another fire broke out at a residential hotel at Maldhapatty in Dinajpur on Friday night, creating panic among those staying in the hotel.

An electrical short-circuit sparked off the fire on the second floor of seven-storey Hotel Diamond.

At least six people were injured while evacuating the hotel hurriedly.

Fire fighters brought the blaze under control after a struggle for about two hours.