CHITWAN: Sixty-seven huts of landless people were gutted in fire in Bandarjhula of Ayodhyapuri-9, Chitwan, today. The fire that had started in the houses from 4 pm on Friday was brought under control only on Saturday noon.

According to Chief District Officer Basanta Raj Gautam, the rescue team has already been sent to the area and Nepal Red Cross Society has started collecting the data on the loss of property and extent of damage. He said that the Chitwan-based Natural Disaster Management Committee would go to the area taking along the relief materials after a detailed assessment of the loss and damage.

The fire that started from the house of Bir Bahadur BK in Plot No. 3 had spread all over the houses till Friday evening. After collaborative efforts of police, the locals and a fire engine from Bharatpur for the whole night, the fire could be brought under control only on Saturday.

Ram Prasad Bhandari, a local teacher, said though no human casualty was reported, the fire had destroyed all the property, food stocks and domestic animals. Nepal Red Cross Society has distributed tents, utensils and dry food to the victims and affected families.

Meanwhile, Phul Kumari Rai, who was seriously injured in the fire in Thapchuwa of Ahale-8, Dhankuta on Friday, died today while undergoing treatment at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan.

According to District Police Office, Dhankuta, the forest fire, which had spread in Thapchuwa, destroyed seven houses causing the loss of property worth Rs 10 lakhs. In the fire, local resident Mandira Rai was also burnt to death. The victims are taking shelter in the houses

of their neighbours. After the incident, a joint team of Red Cross Society

and security personnel had visited the site with

relief materials.

Meanwhile, in another incident of fire in Dhankuta, house of Pacha Bahadur Yakha in Mudhebas-9 was destroyed on Wednesday night. The fire started when the children were playing with it and caused the loss of property worth Rs 3.5 lakhs. The five-member Yakha family has been taking shelter in their neighbour’s house. Yakha lamented that no agency had extended his family help and assistance.