Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi on Saturday inspected Sankranti Bazaar, where a fire destroyed 32 houses on Friday, and visited the fire victims. 

DPM Nidhi assured that the government would provide help for the reconstruction of the bazaar area. “I will hold talks regarding additional support to the fire victims,” he said. 

The government distributed 55 tarpaulins, a generator, four tents, among other items, to the victims as an immediate relief. Various organisations provided them foodstuffs, kitchen utensils and clothes.  

Thirty-two houses and property worth millions of rupees were destroyed in the fire that started from Tanka Sedhai’s house at around noon. Fifty-six families were rendered homeless after the incident. The fire victims were seen searching their belongings in the houses that were burnt to cinder. 

The exact value of properties destroyed in the fire is yet to be ascertained. The victims have demanded relief on par with that provided to the earthquake victims. The local people suspect that the inferno was caused by a short circuit on a battery of solar electricity installed in the house.