At least 31 people, including children, died after four villages in Korok East County of Lol State caught fire Sunday, a local official said.

Lol’s Health Minister Mohammedain Abakar Mohammedain told Radio Tamazuj this afternoon the fire outbreak also injured 61 people and destroyed homes.

The minister said some of the injured are hospitalized in critical condition in Aweil area.

A medical team from the state had been dispatched to Korok centre to provide medical care to survivors of the deadly fire, he said.

“138 households are currently living in the open and their humanitarian situation is very bad after the incident,” said Abakar.

The state minister pointed out that the inferno is suspected to have been caused by strong winds. However, Abakar said they are still trying to establish the cause of the blaze.

The extensive fire broke out at 6 pm Sunday and was contained later, the state minister said.

The state government official vowed to ensure the affected families are assisted.

"We met the national minister of humanitarian affairs and we briefed him on the incident. Citizens there need tents, blankets and food,” he said.