Fires kill 17 in Bihar

PATNA - Seventeen people, including nine children, lost their lives and many were rendered homeless in a string of fires in rural Bihar over the last two days, police said Wednesday.

Seven people, including four children and a woman, died in West Champaran district, four in Sitamarhi, three in Chapra and one each in Purnia, Madhubani and Lakhisarai districts.