BUTWAL: The fire that broke out in the Bhatbhateni supermarket building in Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City-8 of Rupandehi district is now under control.

The fire that began from the fifth floor of the supermarket building at around 3:00 today was brought under control after around four hours with the help of fire engines from the Sub-metropolis, Siddharthanagar, Ramgram, Kapilvastu and Tansen municipalities, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Keshav Kumar Bhattrai at the Area Police Office, Butwal.

Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force persons were also mobilized in bringing the fire under control.

Locals after seeing smoke billowing from the supermarket had reported the incident to police.

Even though the fire engine from Butwal sub-metropolis had arrived immediately after being reported about the incident, the fire fighters were in confusion after not finding the Bhatbhateni management officials onsite.

The total damage incurred in the incident is not yet to be ascertained, However, the electronic goods housed in the fourth and fifth floors of the building have been completely gutted.

'As I am not in Butwal, it is hard to estimate the damage caused by the fire and also the reason behind the fire,' Bhatbhateni supermarket proprietor Min Bahadur Gurung said over phone.

The supermarket had come into operation last year with the investment of Rs. 950 million. It had been a commercial success within a short span of time.

Following the incident, Chief Minister of Province No. 5 Shanker Pokharel, Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Kul Prasad KC, Mayor of Butwal Shiva Raj Subedi and deputy Mayor Gomadevi Acharya and other officials had reached the supermarket premises to take stock of the situation.