An early morning fire at an unlicensed women’s hostel claimed two inmates, both teachers, in the vicinity of the famed Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai on Thursday.

The victims were identified as Parimala Sundari (50) and Saranya (22), working as teachers in private schools. Three other inmates who suffered due to suffocation were admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital in the city, police said.

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Fire service personnel rushed to the spot on information and rescued the stranded inmates and put out the fire at the hostel located in the crowded Katrapalayam locality. Initial investigation revealed that the fire which was due to an explosion of a refrigerator spread all over the hostel premises. While most of the inmates, nearly 50 of them, had come out, the victims and the injured were trapped inside.

It was also found that the hostel was running without permission from the relevant authorities. Police have arrested the hostel warden and picked up the owner of the building for questioning. According to the building owner, he has rented it for a hospital, but it has been converted into a women’s hostel.

Madurai District collector MS Sangeetha who visited the place told reporters that the administration was taking steps to demolish old houses and structures around the Meenakshi Amman temple.

“The Corporation authorities have issued notice to owners of age-old buildings in the area surrounding the Meenakshi Amman temple to get them demolished. Some of them have approached the court challenging this. However, the process of identifying and sealing buildings which are yet to be demolished is on,” the Collector said. Meanwhile the Madurai Corporation is planning to raze to the ground the fire ravaged hostel building.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Information Technology PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan, hailing from Madurai, visited the inmates who had escaped the fire and assured them that the state government would take necessary steps to protect women staying in hostels.

Former Minister and AIADMK leader Sellur K Raju who also visited the inmates said the state should announce a solatium not less than Rs 5 lakh or Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the victims.