Twenty families were rendered homeless on Friday as a massive fire reduced about 20 houses to ashes. In city's Ramnagar, situated in Jyotikuchi area, the fire broke off at 2:15 pm.

As many as 10 fire tenders were immediately pressed into service to douse the flames. The exact cause of fire is yet to be ascertained; the administrative officials said it might have occurred due to a short circuit.

The high-speedwinds took the fire to neighbouring houses. The fire reached up to the vehicleparking where three vehicles were burnt to ashes.