Posted by Thawngsian Tung (CNC-Japan)
February 23, 2009: A total of 26 houses of Chin people were gutted in Chin state on 20 February 2009 in Chin state, Myanmar.
The fire broke out in Valung village which has 80 houses and is located 40 miles from Falam Township. The fire started while maize was being cooked around 11 a.m. It destroyed all property.
"The fire started from a Pastor's house. A pot of maize was left cooking at home while they went to church," said a local.
A report said the pastor was arrested by the police.
Although there was no casualty from the fire, many domestic animals were killed.
"I don't know the exact number, my grandmother's three goats and two pigs are gone!" he added.
The houses that were burnt down were made of wood while three restaurants were gutted by the fire. While it is difficult to estimate the value of the lost property, it was said to be over one hundred lakh Kyats.
The same thing happened on 10 February in Hakha city, Chin state and three houses, which were owned by the government, were razed to the ground. - Khonumthung News