NEW DELHI, April 25 (Xinhua) — At least six people including four children were charred to death and over 700 houses gutted in two separate incidents of fire in India's eastern state of Bihar, officials said Monday.

The fire broke out in Lakhisarai and Darbhanga districts.

Police officials said four children were charred to death after fire broke out at Pokhrawan village in Lakhisarai district, close to Patna.

"The fire broke out due to electric short circuit and spread in the adjacent house, resulted in killing of four people," the officials said.

In a separate incident in Darbhanga district, about 125 km northeast of capital city Patna, over 700 houses were gutted in Hanumannagar block causing deaths of two elderly persons, besides inflicting burn injuries on seven persons.

District officials told media that the deaths were caused due to shock and resultant cerebral strokes.

The houses were mostly thatched structures, officials said.

Last week at least 12 people were charred to death and six others suffered burn injuries in a similar incident during a marriage party in the state.