RAUTAHAT: Property worth around Rs 15 million were gutted after a hardware store, electric equipment outlet and furniture shop were engulfed in flames in Chandrapur Municipality-6 in Rautahat district on Wednesday.

Rahul Hardware and Plywood Centre along with adjacent stores set up in a house belonging to Sunil Shah caught fire at around 5:00 am today.

Locals jogging in the area informed the police after they saw smoke billowing out of the hardware store.

Five fire engines from Gaur, Chandrapur and neighboring districts were deployed for around four hours before the fire was doused, according to District Police Office, Rautahat.

According to Superintendent of Police, Yagya Binod Pokharel, everything inside the store turned to cinder and preliminary investigation of the incident site suggested a loss of property worth more than Rs 150 million.

The fire was doused by personnel from Nepal Police, Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and locals at 11:00 am, Pokharel informed.

The cause of the fire is believed to be a short circuit, however, police is yet to pinpoint the cause and investigation is under way, added Pokharel.