At least 21 houses were destroyed after a fire on Monday night ravaged through Gamgadhi Bazar in Mugu district.

The District Natural Disaster Management Committee informed that 21 houses have been completely destroyed by the inferno.

“The fire started around 12am on Monday night and was brought under control by 6am,” said DSP Chitra Bhattarai. Further investigation into the incident is ongoing, said Bhattarai.

Chief District Officer Rom Bahadur Mahat informed that a meeting of the committee has decided to immediately provide food and shelter to those whose homes were destroyed during the incident.

Mahat further informed that a team comprising security personnel and representatives from the Red Cross will take stock of the situation and present their findings and urge the province and federal governments to relocate the affected families.