A teenage girl died and four others were left injured in a fire that engulfed a hotel in Jajarkot headquarters Khalanga on Sunday.

According to Nepal Police Inspector Suvash Bhatta, a fire broke out at Shanti Chautara -based Sangita Hotel run by Mansingh Khatri claiming the life of his 18-year-old daughter Sangita Khatri.

The four injured in the incident— Mansingh Khatri, 45, Gokarna Chand, 18, of Bherimali, Prem Bahadur Rana, 23, of Chaurajahari municipality-7, Rukum and police constable Ramesh Chand—are receiving medical treatment at Nepalgunj-based district hospital, informed police.

The police said that the fire started from a petroleum dealership that was being operated by Rana from the ground floor of the hotel. There were 12 diesel and petrol drums of 200 litres capacity in the room.

Inspector Bhatta informed that the fire started after the petrol being poured to a 10 litre jerrycan from the larger drum spilt and came in contact with the nearby fireplace used by the hotel to cook. The fire completely destroyed the hotel and inside of the house including goods of the general store run in the same floor and two motorcycles.  

Sangita Khatri, who was working in a cooperative, had arrived at her father’s hotel two days ago to celebrate Teej festival. “She (Sangita) was in the bathroom when the fire started and she ran towards the nearby veranda to save herself, but we couldn’t save her,” said grieving Mansingh.

The injured have sustained serious burn injuries while trying to douse the inferno and are said to be in critical condition, informed the police.

The fire that started at 11 am today was brought under control within one hour with the help of locals and security personnel from Nepal Police, Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Red Cross.