14 killed, 50 injured in fire in Indian capital

At least 14 persons died and over 50 others suffered injuries when a major fire engulfed a congregation of eunuchs or trans-sexuals at a community center in an east Delhi locality Sunday, said local media reports. The incident took place at around 18:30 p.m. Sunday evening at the community hall in Nand Nagri area, where a three-day congregation of eunuchs was taking place, according to the reports. Police said the fire first began in the kitchen of the community center and thereafter spread to other parts of the hall. Police later said the cause of the fire could be an electric short circuit. Government officials and hospital authorities put the toll at 14. The injured have been admitted to various hospitals. The death toll could still rise, according to the reports. Over 20 fire engines were sent to the spot to put out the fire which was raging hours after it started. The trans-sexuals in India are socially marginalized people feeding themselves by providing entertainment, funeral, marriage and ritual services.