BAHAWALPUR: Four children Bilal (2), Muqaddas (1), Aliza Bibi (4), and Shabana Bibi (3) were burnt to death when a fire broke out in their huts in Moga Qasimwala, Cholistan, within the jurisdiction of Derawar police, 70 kilometres from here, on Wednesday.

According to official sources, several labourers from Rajanpur had been staying in the huts while cutting sugarcane on the lands of Chaudhry Bilal.

The fire started when Naziran Mai (55) lit a fire in her hut to prepare tea. Due to alleged negligence, the flames spread rapidly, engulfing the huts and trapping the children inside.

Naziran Mai also suffered serious burns.

The parents took the bodies of the deceased children to Rajanpur for burial.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has expressed her condolences over the deaths.