Taplejung. More than Rs 1.18 crore has been destroyed in a fire that broke out at Temba Bazaar in Taplejung district.

The fire that broke out last night at Temba Bazaar in Mikwakhola rural municipality-4 of the district completely destroyed four houses, causing a loss of over Rs 11.8 million.

According to Chief District Officer Shivaraj Sedhai, the fire completely destroyed the houses of locals Indra Kumar Limbu, Raj Kumar Limbu, Anil Limbu and Bishnu Prasad Limbu. According to preliminary reports, the prince suffered the highest loss of Rs 50 lakh. Similarly, Indra Kumar lost Rs 43 lakh, Anil Rs 20 lakh and Bishnu Prasad Rs 5 lakh.

The fire also gutted 25 maunds of cardamom belonging to Dorchi Sherpa, who was living in rented accommodation at Indra Kumar’s house, CDO Sedhai said. According to him, two motorcycles, gold and silver, cash, livestock, clothes, food grains and other important documents were destroyed in the fire.

Locals said that the damage increased due to lack of fire engine and water to douse the fire as it was nighttime. The fire was completely brought under control by 5:30 am. It is suspected that the fire started from a motorcycle parked in the parking lot, police said.