A forest fire in Panchthar has claimed one life and left three others injured. According to the police, the deceased and the injured belong to the same family.
The incident occurred in a private forest in Kummayak Rural Municipality-3, where 22-year-old Pratima Sambahamphe of Hattipokhari, Kummayak-3, lost her life while collecting firewood and fodder.
Among the injured are 60-year-old Niramaya Sambahamphe, her 28-year-old daughter Sapana Sambahamphe, and Sapana’s 11-year-old daughter Shivana Sambahamphe. The deceased Pratima was Niramaya’s granddaughter.
According to Panchthar Police Chief DSP Kaushal Kumar Budhathoki, the fire started from below while the victims were gathering firewood and fodder uphill. Unable to find a way to escape, they got caught in the flames.
The injured were rescued by the police on Thursday afternoon and sent to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan for treatment. Pratima succumbed to her injuries on Thursday night while undergoing treatment. The other three remain in critical condition. The private forest where the fire broke out belongs to local residents Amar Thapa, Padam Khadka, and others.
