RAUTAHAT: Property worth around Rs 1.5 million was reduced to ashes when a fire destroyed five houses in Baluwa Tole of Rajupur Farhawa VDC of Rautahat on Tuesday.

The fire that started from the house of Sheikh Olayet at around 12:30 pm destroyed the houses of Milawa Khatun, Sheikh Shakeel, Nurul Nesa and Osi Aktar, police said.

The fire was doused with the help of locals, personnel from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force backed by a fire engine after an hour, Inspector Lila Lamichhane of the District Police Office, Rautahat informed.

The reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained, Lamichhane said.