A massive fire erupted in Pike Seik,Pyin Phyu Maw ward of Kyaukphyu township of Rakhine State in the afternoonhours of Wednesday resulting in the destruction of over 60 houses

said localresidents.

The firebroke out as the families were fleeing the conflict after the junta forcesordered the removal of Pike Seik claiming those as squatter huts.

"Ataround 1:30 pm, the fire broke out leaving only three houses intact. During theperiod no one was present there. We still don't know the reason behindit," said a local resident after visiting the scene.

A Kyaukphyu  resident statedthat most of the homeowners in Pike Seik fled to the villages due to fear ofpotential clashes.

The housesin Pike Seik are squatter huts and they are being forcibly removed by the juntasoldiers. Some soldiers are now stationed near Pyin Phyu Maw ward.

Another resident revealed that the homeowners are no longer living in Pike Seik. They came  from nearbyvillages and were engaged in fishing activities. As the  battles unfoldedin Kyaukphyu locality, the homeowners fled their places.

The juntaforces reportedly came and threatened the people in Pike Seik on 18 and 19March just before the fire incident took place.

"It isunderstood that the soldiers instructed them to vacate the place by 18 March.They reiterated the same next day too. Now, many believe that the soldiers wereresponsible for the fire," he added.

A residentwho visited the scene said  that many fishing nets, ice boxes and housesin Pike Seik were destroyed by the fire.

Narinjara News is still trying tocontact Kyaukphyu fire station officers to verify the details.

On 18February, the soldiers burned down six houses near  Thit Pote Taungjunction, located near  Dhanyawadi naval base in Kyaukphyutownship and detained the owners of these houses.