Lost to the flames

Lost to the flames

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Por Ku Sae sobs in the midst of a burnt refugee camp in a remote area of northwestern Thailand. The 14-year-old is now the only surviving member of her family, after eight of her relatives perished when the camp went up in flames.

Officials said that 36 people died in the tragedy, which destroyed hundreds of shelters that were home to thousands of refugees from Myanmar.

. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Children watch as experts and rescue workers retrieve the charred bodies of those who fell victim to the flames in Ban Mae Surin refugee camp.

Two thousand people were left homeless by the blaze and 115 people were injured, 19 of them seriously, according to provincial governor Narumol Palavat.

Authorities were investigating the cause, with initial reports suggesting the fire was sparked by a cooking accident.

Most of those living in Ban Mae Surin camp are ethnic Karens - 3,500 refugees who fled fighting in Myanmar in 1992. Many were born in the camps and have lived there for decades.

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Slideshow

Body bags cover the charred remains of people who died in the fire.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Body bags cover the charred remains of people who died in the fire.

Forensic experts walk between the bodies.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Forensic experts walk between the bodies.

A survivor covers her face as she stands among the burnt ruins.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

A survivor covers her face as she stands among the burnt ruins.

Forensic experts and security personnel work in what is left of the camp.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Forensic experts and security personnel work in what is left of the camp.

A forensic worker marks the body of a baby, who was killed by the fire.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

A forensic worker marks the body of a baby, who was killed by the fire.

A survivor covers her mouth as the remains of victims are collected.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

A survivor covers her mouth as the remains of victims are collected.

Body bags are lined up in a row.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Body bags are lined up in a row.

Refugee women and other survivors look on as an investigation continues in the ruins of the camp.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Refugee women and other survivors look on as an investigation continues in the ruins of the camp.

Two boys walk through the charred area.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Two boys walk through the charred area.

A refugee boy stands amid the ash.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

A refugee boy stands amid the ash.

A survivor weeps in the fire-gutted camp.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

A survivor weeps in the fire-gutted camp.

Other survivors salvage their belongings.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Other survivors salvage their belongings.

Refugee children carry food aid and possessions rescued from the ruins.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Refugee children carry food aid and possessions rescued from the ruins.

Survivors build a new, temporary shelter in the camp.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Survivors build a new, temporary shelter in the camp.

A group of survivors wait to receive aid.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

A group of survivors wait to receive aid.

Others lug away belongings they managed to salvage from the camp.
. Mae Hong Son, Thailand. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Others lug away belongings they managed to salvage from the camp.