Tehrathum: A total of 14 houses in Hattikharka were completely damaged due to the fire that broke out in Chuhandanda in Atharai-6 on Friday.
Local 50-year-old Yangdolma Tamang was injured in the fire and is undergoing treatment in Phidim. Out of the 14 houses, five houses were vacant, said Ward Chair Krishna Baskota. As a result, 41 members of nine families have been displaced by the fire. All food stock and clothes in the house were burnt to ashes.
Livestock in the sheds of the locals were also charred to death. The fire started from the forest on the banks of Tamor river and got out of control after entering the human settlement, said Chair of Atharai Rural Municipality Dilkumar Pahim.
The fire in the forest is not yet under control. Fire brigade, police and local residents of Phidim Municipality are working to put out the fire, as it poses risk to other human settlements nearby.