Itahari fire brought under control after nearly six hours

ITAHARI: The fire at Centre Plaza in Itahari was brought under control after approximately five and a half hours.

The blaze, which started around 9:30 am on Wednesday, was extinguished by around 3 pm.

“It is now almost under control. We are still at the scene, but details of any injuries have yet to be confirmed,” DSP Laxmi Bhandari of the Area Police Office, Itahari, told Himal Press.

The commercial building, owned by businessman Rajesh Shrestha, housed Hotel Verandah, a branch office of Laxmi Sunrise Bank, a cinema hall operated by QFX, as well as electronics stores, mobile shops and other businesses.

A total of 195 Nepal Police personnel, 105 Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) personnel and 50 Nepal Army personnel were deployed to douse the fire. A total of 12 fire engines were also deployed to contain the fire.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

According to SP Suman Timilsina, chief of the District Police Office, Sunsari, 11 people, who were trapped inside the building, were rescued by the Nepal Army helicopter.