Biratnagar, Mar. 20: A massive fire in Kadamaha of Dhanpalthan Rural Municipality-6, Morang district, claimed the life of a young girl and destroyed 12 houses. The fire ravaged 16 huts in the local Muslim settlement.

According to Morang Police SP Narayan Chimariya, three-year-old Reshma Khatun lost her life in the blaze on Tuesday. Another child, initially reported missing during the chaos, was later found safe. The fire was brought under control with the help of police, locals and fire engines, SP Chimariya informed.

The fire broke out in dry, windy conditions during the daytime. The close vicinity of thatched houses and straw stacks added fuel to the fire and it spread rapidly. 

Meanwhile, in Khotang, a wildfire that spread into a village destroyed a school building and 10 houses. The fire, originating from Namelka in Balchhikhola Pakha Community Forest, reached the settlement of Dikuwa in Halesi Tuwachung Municipality-2 on Monday.

The fire damaged a two-roomed wooden school building of the Balkanya Basic School. Nine families lost 10 homes in the incident. The affected residents include Krishna Bahadur Rai, Adame Rai, Hiraser Rai, Nagendra Rai, Pavindra Rai, Hiradhan Rai, Chain Kumar Rai, Tank Bahadur Rai and Ran Bahadur Rai.

Alongside the property damage, losses of livestock were also reported.

Krishna Bahadur, a local, lost one cow, two calves and four goats. Adame Rai and Hiraser Rai lost three goats each, while Chhota Kumar Rai’s 10 goats grazing in the forest were also killed in the blaze.

The wildfire is still active in the Maitanju, Ratamate and Thumki areas, with locals continuing efforts to control it. The fire also damaged the pipelines of four drinking water projects sourced from the Dikuwa Khola, cutting off the water supply to Langma, Baghkhor, Maitanju and Thumki.

Relief provided to fire victims

The families displaced by the fire have received relief materials. Halesi Tuwachung Municipality and the District Administration Office have provided support to the affected families.

The municipality distributed Rs. 10,000 per affected family along with two sacks of rice, three kilograms of lentils, four packets of oil, dried vegetable mix, beaten rice, one mattress and one blanket per family, according to Mayor Bimala Rai.

Meanwhile, the District Administration Office provided Rs. 15,000 to each affected family and distributed a tent along with a blanket to every household, informed Chief District Officer Narahari Ghimire.