BIRATNAGAR, Feb 21: A fire broke out at the closed Biratnagar Jute Mills, Nepal's first industry, in Biratnagar Metropolitan City-16 on Tuesday night. Morang Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ranjan Kumar Dahal said that the fire resulted in a loss of property worth approximately Rs 2 million.
The cause of the fire at the shuttered facility remains unclear. Police sources suggest the fire might have been deliberately set, as there was no possibility of an electric short-circuit in the area where the fire originated. "Since there is no possibility of an electrical short-circuit at the place where the fire started, someone may have intentionally started the fire," said a police source.
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The fire began suddenly in the 'Dreamer bleaching department' of the closed jute mill around 9 PM. According to the police, the fire started from the department responsible for the final finish of the thread used in jute sack production, destroying the raw material and damaging two old machines.
Established in 1993, Biratnagar Jute Mill holds the distinction of being Nepal's first industry. The mill has been closed since 2078 BS. Recently, the government's interest in reviving closed industries led to the Birla Group, an Indian business conglomerate, inspecting the mill.
The fire was extinguished around 1 AM on Wednesday with the assistance of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, local residents, and the fire brigade of Biratnagar Metropolitan City.
