Phidim, April 26

As many as 13 houses and four cowsheds turned in to ashes after a wildfire spread to the human settlements at Syabrumba VDC in Panchthar.

The wildfire, which had spread at Bhute Khola Community Forest, has spread to the human settlements yesterday, said police. Police added that more than five houses were destroyed yesterday evening.

Ramesh Thapa, a local, said that the villagers along with security personnel had brought the fire under control, but the wildfire had again spread at night from the same place and destroyed eight more houses today.

According to police, the wildfire had spread to Loripa and Nigale of Syabrumba VDC.

The wildfire had destroyed property belonging to Ganga Bohora of the VDC. “Houses, property, and food grains, among others. worth Rs eight lakh was destroyed in the blaze,” he informed.

He said that the fire had destroyed everything in his house. Bohora further added that nothing was left in the house though there was no human casualty.

Similarly, the wildfire also destroyed houses belonging to locals Jitendra Bohora, Chhatra Bahadur Bohora, Yogendra Bahadur Bohora, Tanka Khatiwada, Bhawani Khatiwada, Sushma Bohora, Bimal Poudel, Chandra Bahadur Pandey, Damber Pandey and Man Bahadur Pandey.

It is said that five goats were burnt to death after the wildfire engulfed cowsheds.

Primary estimates of the police said that property worth Rs 69 lakh was destroyed in the wildfire. The locals, along with the police personnel, are trying hard to bring the fire under control to prevent further damage today also.

It is reported that the wildfire is yet to be brought under control though the locals and the police are trying hard.

Police urged the locals of affected areas to live in the safer places. The reason behind the wildfire is yet to be known.