At least 32 houses and property worth millions of rupees were destroyed in a fire that broke at Sankranti Bazaar in Tehrathum district on Friday.

The fire that started from Tanka Sedhai’s house at around noon raged through the bazaar area destroying 29 houses before it was put out at around 4pm. Three houses had to be demolished with the help of bulldozers to stop the fire from spreading further. DSP Bhagyendra Purush Dhakal said the blaze rendered at least 56 families homeless. Local Shree Prasad Pathak said the fire could not be doused on time as fire engines failed to reach the incident site on time.

Fire engines from Phidim were used to douse the fire, as fire engines from Myanglung and Laligurans could not reach the area due to narrow roads. 

The cause of fire is still to be ascertained, said police. 

Locals said it could have been caused by an electric short circuit of solar battery at Sedhai’s house. 

The District Natural Disaster Rescue Committee held an emergency meeting to provide relief to fire victims. The authorities are planning to resettle the displaced people at local school buildings, neighbours and relatives. 

DSP Dhakal said police have been collecting details of the damage caused by the fire. “We will start distributing relief materials to the victims from Saturday,” said Chief District Officer Munaka Neupane.