NEPALGUNJ: A dozen houses and cowsheds in Kusum village of Khaskusma VDC in Banke were destroyed in a fire this afternoon.

According to police, the fire started from the house of a local Jog Bahadur Pun and spread to other houses.

The houses and cowsheds of Dhan Bahadur Pun, Mahesh Baniya, Danda Prasad Gharti, Surya Bahadur Budhathoki and Purna Bahadur Gharti were destroyed by fire.

Food grains, utensils and other goods stored inside the houses were destroyed by the fire.

The fire was doused through the joint effort of locals, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Army, police added.

The cause behind the fire is not yet confirmed.

The place lies 80 kilometres north of the district headquarters Nepalgunj.