RAUTAHAT: An unidentified gang set houses on fire after sprinkling petrol at them in Pachrukhi VDC-8 yesterday night. Six houses were completely destroyed in the fire.

According to Area Police Office, Gangapipara, houses belonging to locals -Dharichhan Raya Yadav, Shyamlal Raya Yadav, Sitaram Mahato, Nagendra Mahato, Jadolal Mahato and Dayal Thakur -were completely destroyed by the fire. The gang had set the houses on fire when most of the inmates had gone out to attend the wedding of Dharichhan's son.

Two buffaloes and four goats were also killed in the fire while a motorcycle and all the property of Darichhan's house was destroyed, police said.

Teams of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and the locals doused the fire together. Raj Kumar Shah, Sub-Inspector, Area Police Office, Pipara, said, property worth Rs 6 lakhs have been destroyed in the incident.