KATHMANDU: Two furniture factories were completely destroyed in a fire that broke out in Birtamod-4, Annapurna Chowk, in Jhapa on Wednesday. The blaze originated at Devi Wood Furniture Industry, operated by Harsu Subba, at approximately 10:45 a.m.
According to the Anarmuni Area Police Office, the fire spread to the adjacent Jay Trade Furniture, run by Dibyashree Agrawal, destroying both the manufacturing units and their showrooms. Two other nearby houses also sustained minor damage due to the heat. Police preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.
Fire engines from Birtamod, Damak, Shivasatakshi, and Mechinagar municipalities were deployed alongside Nepal Police, the Nepal Army, and local residents to contain the fire. The blaze was brought under control by 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
One person, 39-year-old Til Bahadur Ramtel from Arjunadhara Municipality-3, was injured after falling from a building while attempting to remove goods from the site. Deputy Superintendent of Police Santosh Pathak of the Birtamod Area Police Office stated that the total financial loss is estimated to be over Rs 50 million.
