TAPLEJUNG, March 2: At least 40 houses were gutted in a massive fire which broke out at Dobhan Bazaar in Taplejung district on Tuesday morning.
The fire which broke out at 9AM has not come under control yet, according to locals. According to a local resident Dipesh Karki, the fire has claimed at least 40 houses by now.
UPDATE: Fire is almost under control, so far 49 houses gutted
The incident site, which lies at the confluence of Tapelung's Meringden and Aathrai Triveni rural municipalities, is the second biggest and busiest market after district headquarters Phungling.
The fire is spreading rapidly as all the houses in the area are made of wood and corrugated zinc sheets.
A fire extinguisher from Phungling has reached the incident site to bring the fire under control.
A team of local security officials led by chief of District Police Office Bal Narsingh Rana is currently on its way to the incident site from the district headquarters.