Apr 25, Kathmandu- At least 13 houses were burnt down in Barahapokhari Rural Municipality-1 of Khotang when the forest fire entered the settlement. 11 families have been affected by the fire.

When the fire broke out in the local community forest on Wednesday afternoon, 13 houses including three empty houses, 7 barns, 2 cowsheds, 1 goat pen and a kitchen house were burnt.

The fire burnt down two houses Mohanlal Thapa Magar, one house and three of Purna Bahadur Magar, house and two sheds of Bhadrasin Hamgar of Bhirgaon, Barahpokhari.

Similarly, the house of Subash Thapa Magar and the houses and Madan Thapa Magar were burnt, said DSP Purushottam Khadka of District Police Office Khotang.

The fire burnt down two houses of Ganga Maya Magar of Dansingtar and two houses, 40 goats, half a tola of gold and 50,000 cash.

Ward president Dhak Bahadur Karki has said that the houses of Suman Magar of Khorsane and Lekhraj Khatiwada of Gahte were also burnt. The fire also burnt down the empty houses of Hom Bahadur Katuwal and Padam Bahadur Katwal of Dandakhark. The house of Chhakumar Rai of Khorsane was also burnt.

According to the police, the kitchen house and goat cage of Bam Bahadur Magar of Bhanjyang were burnt in the fire in the local Raktamala community forest.