The fire presumably started with an electric short-circuit before 12:15 am and spread to the two stores housed inside the building belonging to Purushottam Kafle at the main market area, according to the Area Police Office, Itahari.

The fire was brought under control at 2:00 am with the help of police, locals, businessmen and four fire engines from Itahari, Dharan, Inuruwa and Sundarharaicha of Morang district, informed police.

In the fire, the ready-made clothing store belonging to Samundra Rai was burned to cinders, destroying property housed inside worth around Rs 20 million, said police.

After the fire spread to another store belonging to Gajaraj Shrestha, it destroyed clothes worth millions, however, exact figure is yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, further investigation into the case is underway, said police.