PATHARI, MORANG: Properties worth around Rs 500,000 were gutted after a fire broke out in a house at Thapa Chok of Urlabari Municipality-3 in Morang district last night.

The properties were destroyed after the one-storey house belonging to Devi Poudel engulfed in flames at around 10 pm yesterday, according to Inspector Chandra Bahadur Thapa at Area Police Office, Urlabari.

The preliminary investigation points to electrical short circuit as the cause of the blaze, said police.

The fire was taken under control within an hour with the help of fire engine, police and locals, police said.