New Delhi, Jan 6: A fire broke out in a slum near Lahori Gate in North Delhi in the wee hours of Sunday morning killing at least seven people and leaving eight others injured.

The injured have been admitted to nearby Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Hospital and include five children and two women. The conditions of children are reported to be serious.

Those killed have been charred beyond recognition.

It required close to 25 fire tenders to douse the flames, which enveloped the slum very quickly as inflammable plastic sheets were used by the slum dwellers to protect themselves from chilling wind.

Over 250 small dwelling units are located in the slum.

"We have handed over seven charred body to the police, while a number of people, injured in the fire, have been rushed to the hospital by CAT ambulance," said R C Sharma, Chief Fire Officer.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. (ANI)