Fire Destroys 10 Shops in Sanfe hat, Achham

A major fire broke out in the main commercial area of Sanfe Hat market in Achham on Saturday morning, destroying 10 shops completely.

The fire started around 3:30 AM at Suveshcha Hotel, located in Sanfebagar Municipality-3. The fire quickly spread to nearby shops, including grocery, clothing, mobile, and fruit shops, according to local business owners.

The fire was caused by a short-circuit in an electric wire, which ignited at the hotel and then spread rapidly. After the fire broke out, locals, along with the Nepal Police and Armed Police, attempted to control it. However, the delay in controlling the fire was due to the lack of a fire engine.

Achham’s Police Chief, DSP Ishwari Prasad Bhandari, explained that the fire engine from Mangalsen Municipality was sent for repairs to Dhangadhi, and by the time a fire engine was brought from Doti, it was too late to control the fire quickly.

“No human casualties have been reported. Ten shops have been destroyed, and the damage is still being evaluated,” said DSP Bhandari. “Many tin-roofed shops were burned. The fire was brought under control after some shops were demolished using a bulldozer.”

This incident follows a similar fire in Jaygad market on April 9, where 35 shops were destroyed, causing a loss of over 80 million rupees.

The recent fire, occurring just a month after the Jaygad incident, has caused widespread fear among locals due to the significant damage and displacement of people.