Fires wreak havoc across country

Fires wreak havoc across country

05 April 2010

published by www.thehimalayantimes.com


by Rambabu Yadav/ Maya Adhikari

Siraha/Parbat, 4 April 2010
 

Nepal —    At least two persons have been killed after fire engulfed almost entire villages in different parts of the country, while wildfires in different areas are raging.

Hundreds of houses and property worth hundreds of thousands of rupees have been destroyed in fire in the villages. While 23-year-old Kamala Khatri was killed in the fire in Bhagalpur village in Tapeshwori-1, Udaypur, 15 houses were destroyed in the area when the fire spread from the kitchen of one Krishna Bahadur Tamang. According to the District Superintendent of Police Manoj Yadav, mentally retarded Khatri died after he fell into a well while fleeing the fire. Property worth Rs 80 lakh has been destroyed in the fire. Local Karna Tamang said two fire engines that arrived from Siraha and Saptari extinguished the fire.

In another incident in Aurahi-6, Siraha, four persons were injured and 75 houses were gutted in a fire. According to the District Police Office, Siraha, Latina Yadav (50), her daughter Usha (6), son Hariom (4) and Anita Yadav (35) were injured in the blaze that broke out when children were playing with fire in a house.

According to the police, property worth Rs 1 crore was destroyed in the fire. The fire was brought under control this evening with efforts from locals, police and army personnel and a fire tender from Lahan municipality.

In yet another incident in Hakpada-6, Siraha, 60-year-old Bilasidevi Yadav was killed in the fire that also destroyed 18 houses.

Meanwhile, wildfire that broke out in the Panchaselek forest in Parbat is still raging. According to locals, herbs have been destroyed in the fire which has already spread in 400 of the 500 hectares of the forest area.

Residents of Arthardandakharka and Ramja have been toiling to bring the fire under control. According to the District Police Office, Parbat, police personnel from the Thulopokhari post and army personnel from the Bhairabidal battalion in Panchase have been fighting the flames there. A forest fire is also spreading in Bandevi and Dharampani forests in Palpa.

In Sankhuwasabha, wildfire is spreading for the past five days over community forests of more than a dozen VDCs. However, no one has taken steps to control the fire.

In Sindhuli, wildfire has spread in Nawadurga, Chyaukot, Basantapur, Silame, Bojhechisapani and Gadauli community forests. According to Goma Devkota, chairperson of the Nawadurga community forest, the fire has destroyed valuable trees, grass and animals. In Dhankuta, wildfire in the Tarebhir forest in Dandabazaar VDC, which started yesterday, has been extinguished.

Meanwhile, five persons were injured while trying to douse wildfire that broke out in a community forest in Dhurkot, Nawalparasi.


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