Sindhulimadhi, April 8

More than 40 houses were gutted when a wildfire spread to human settlements in Bhuwaneswori VDC of Sindhuli today.

The wildfire started from a local Thangre National Forest at 10:15 am today. Gaurab Karki, a local, said the wildfire engulfed the villages and gutted more than 40 houses in ward number 1,7 and 9 of Bhubaneswori VDC. “The fire has yet to be brought under control,” said Karki.

A joint team of personnel of Nepal Army, APF and NA has been dispatched to bring the fire under control. Inspector Sarbashree Bahadur Singh said strong winds made it very difficult for them to douse the fire. He said no human casualty was reported as the villagers had fled their home after the wildfire began spreading to their settlement. “Most of the people from the fire-affected areas have fled to safer places,” he said.

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According to Singh, a large number of cattle were killed in the blaze. “Since the wildfire is still raging, it would be too early to ascertain the damage,” Singh added.

Security forces have appealed to the locals of other wards to move out of their houses and go to safer places warning the fire might sweep their settlement. “The wildfire is terrible here. We don’t think we will be able to douse the fire anytime soon,” Singh stated.

People, who fled their houses for fear that their houses would also be caught in the fire, are living in the open. Fire victims said they lost everything, except the clothes on their bodies, to the fire.