A single storied house in Pelrithang, in Gelephu was completely gutted by a fire this morning at around 1 am. Eighteen people had been living in the house. No casualties were reported.
The tenants lost all their belongings and so has the shop owner, whose shop was adjacent to the house. The shop had goods worth Nu.60,000. The tenants said they were all sleeping in the house at the time of the incident. When they tried to get out, they found their doors latched from outside. Police ruled out arson and suspect that those behind the incident had come to rob the adjoining shop. One man managed to knock down the main door of his apartment and saved the rest of the tenants on time. No one was injured but it was a narrow escape, the tenants say.
Meanwhile, the Kidu office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon in Sarpang granted semso and distributed disaster kit provided by the UNICEF to the victims.
Victims were given Nu. 15,000 each and the house owner Nu.10,000. Pelrithang School will provide the victims shelter for the time being. Police are investigating the case.
