Property worth Rs24 million was reduced to ashes when an inferno engulfed three pharmacies and a hotel in Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City-18, Buddha Chowk on Friday night.

According to Dharan Area Police Office, the fire gutted the hotel owned by Minu Bantawa damaging the property worth Rs3 million, while two pharmacies owned by Laxam Khadka suffered damage of Rs12 million.

The fire that gutted a pharmacy belonging to Arun Shah damaged property worth Rs9 million, police said.

Locals had informed the police after noticing smoke billowing from a closed room. Eight fire engines from Dharan, Itahari and Barahakshetra contained the blaze three hours after it started.

No human casualty was reported.

Police suspect an electric short-circuit caused the fire that started at around 9:30pm.

The news has been updated.