The fire that broke out in the Bhatbhateni supermarket in ward no. 8 of Butwal Sub-metropolis has come under control after an effort of around four hours.
The fire began from the fifth floor of the supermarket building at around 3 this early morning and was put out with the help of fire tenders from the Sub-metropolis, Siddharthanagar, Ramgram, Kapilvastu and Tansen municipalities, according to DSP at the Area Police Office, Butwal Keshav Kumar Bhattarai. Nepali Army, Nepal
Police and Armed Police Force persons were also mobilized in bringing the fire under control.
Locals had reported about the incident of fire to police. Even though the fire tender from Butwal sub-metropolis arrived immediately after being reported about the incident, the staffers were in confusion after not finding the Bhatbhateni management officials onsite.
The damage incurred in the incident is not yet known. However, the electronic goods in the fourth and fifth floors of the building have been completely gutted. "As I am not in Butwal, it is hard to estimate the damage caused by the fire and also the reason behind the fire," Bhatbhateni supermarket proprietor Min Bahadur Gurung said over phone.
The supermarket had come into operation last year with the investment of Rs. 950 million. It had been a commercial success within a short span of time.
Following the incident, Chief Minister of Province No. 5 Shanker Pokharel, Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Kul Prasad KC, Mayor of Butwal Shiva Raj Subedi and deputy Mayor Gomadevi Acharya and other officials had reached the supermarket premises to take stock of the situation.
