Seven people, including two children, were killed and 17 injured in a devastating blaze at a hardware shop at Taktipur under Harihar Para Police station in the district Thursday night.

According to official sources, the fire was caused by a short-circuit at a hardware shop that had a big store of petrol, diesel and carbide. The fire was fanned by the wind.

A weekly market was in progress when the fire broke out.

While a 13-year-old died on the spot, six others died in Behrampore New General Hospital where they were admitted in a critical condition. The deceased have been identified.

The 17 injured are being treated at the hospital.

Two fire tenders doused the flames after battling for three hours.