A massive fire broke out at Damak-based Bhutanese Refuge Camp in Jhapa’s Beldangi today, destroying 58 huts and property worth around Rs 5 million.

According to Area Police Office, Damak, the fire broke out after the Hut No 21 of Tritha Raj Mishra at Sector C/4 caught fire at round 2.00 pm. 

Some 28 other huts were brought down so that the fire could not spread the surrounding area, police said. Fire extinguishers from Damak and Mechinagar municipality, Armed Police, Nepal Police and refugees had later doused the fire, police said. 

Some 400 refugees have been stranded by the inferno, Camp Management Committee said. Some of them have been taking shelter in a local school and at their neighbours’ place. Police surmised that the blaze might have started due to a gas leak.

Published on: 5 December 2012 | The Himalayan Times