Birgunj, December 3:

Property worth around Rs 30 million was damaged in a fire that spread at Megha Woollen Mills in Birgunj last night.

Machines, ready-made yarn, raw materials and other items were gutted in the fire, said Bhagawat Jha, managing director of the mill.

The fire broke out at 11 pm due to a short circuit in a machine, Jha said. The factory belongs to the Chaudhari group of industries. The fire was put out by four fire engines from the Birgunj sub-metropolitan city, Kalaiya municipality and Hetauda municipality.

The factory, which was set up in 2045 BS, had caught fire in 2058 BS also.

Jha said it would take at least a week for them to resume work. There are 160 workers in the mill.

Investigation is on to determine the exact cause of the blaze, said SP Ramesh Phuyal of the Parsa District Police Office.