At least 12 people including five children and three women were charred to death and six others suffered burn injuries in a devastating fire inside a thatched house Friday in eastern Indian state of Bihar, officials said.

The fire broke out at Harinagar village in Aurangabad district, about 143 kilometers southwest of Patna city, the capital of Bihar.

"In a fire tragedy at a house here today 12 people were killed and six more suffered serious burn injuries," a senior local government official Kanwal Tanuj told media. "The deceased who had gathered for a marriage party were sleeping (taking rest) inside the house when fire suddenly break out and blaze engulfed it."

Officials said the injured were admitted in the nearest hospital and the condition of some was stated to be critical.

Reports said the house was having a single exit, which, according to police, caused the deaths.

Officials said, several fire tenders were rushed to spot to douse the blaze.

The cause of fire was being ascertained, the official said.

Many people had gathered to attend the marriage ceremony at the house.

Chances of fire in Indian villages and cites are usually high as people usually ignore safety standards vis-a-vis fire and store fuel and combustible materials in a haphazard manner.

Local government has announced an ex-gratia relief of 6,000 US dollars to the family of each killed in the fire tragedy.

Source: XINHUA