MIRPURKHAS: Four straw-thatched houses of peasants were completely gutted in Khuda Bux Lashari village in Jhuddo taluka on Wednesday.

According to villagers, the fire broke out during preparation of food in Nagji Kolhi`s house and it soon engulfed neighbouring huts, destroying household articles andstocked grain.

The inmates tried to salvage their belongings but they could only save their own lives and their cattle.

The villagers managed to extinguish the fire on self-help basis before fire brigade vehicle arrived.

The f amilies made homeless by the fire were sitting in the open as they had nowhere to take shelter.

They appealed to the government to provide them help and compensation for their losses.