ACCHAM: A massive fire erupted in Jaigad Bazaar, situated in Bannigadi Jaigad Rural Municipality, following an explosion caused by a gas cylinder at the IME center run by Pushparaj Sharma.
The incident occurred around last night and quickly spread across the central marketplace.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Ishwori Prasad Bhandari, head of the District Police Office in Achham, confirmed that the fire caused significant damage to multiple businesses and residences.
Among the affected were Himal Saud’s mobile shop, herbal medicine shops owned by Ram Bahadur Raut and Manju Saud, Rati Saud’s rental store, grocery shops belonging to Gokul Saud and Khagendra Saud, gold and silver shops run by Kismat Sunar and Kalu Sunar, as well as the home of Ratan Saud.
Firefighting efforts were led by a joint response team, including 20 personnel from the Nepal Army’s Gorakh Battalion in Mangalsen, police officers from the District Police Office, and Armed Police Force.
A fire engine from Mangalsen Municipality was also mobilized to bring the blaze under control.
Preliminary assessments indicate that the fire has caused considerable destruction in Jaigad Bazaar.
Authorities noted that efforts to contain the fire were hampered by the darkness, making the nighttime operation more challenging.
