A devastating fire broke out at Kushwaha General Stores in Bateshwor Rural Municipality-3 of Dhanusa district on Tuesday evening around 7:30 PM. The blaze also consumed the adjacent Kushwaha traditional topiary industry, owned by Ramkumar Mahato.
Mahato estimates the total loss to be over 40 lakhs, including raw materials, paper plates, and glassware from the general store, as well as topiaries worth 2 lakhs from the industry.
Local residents, along with Kshireshwornath Municipality and riot police from Dhalkebar, worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire. Police Inspector Sonukumar Sah of the Area Police Office Sakhuwa Mahendranagar confirmed the incident but stated that the exact extent of the damage is still being assessed.
The fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit.
