Properties worth around Rs5 million were destroyed in a fire that spread in a Dalit settlement at Batarahi in Gramthan Rural Municipality, Morang on Friday.

Sub-inspector of Police Dhukhan Yadav said 13 houses of eight families were destroyed in the incident.

Police said the fire had started from a house of Nepal Lal Sardar at around 2:30pm. It took almost one and a half hours for eight fire engines to douse the fire.

The District Red Cross Society distributed relief materials, including tarpaulins and food stuffs, to the victims. (PR)