A huge fire engulfed vegetable and fruits market in Kathmandu’s Kalimati on Saturday evening around 10.30 PM.
The centre fruit and vegetable wholesale market, which extends into 400 sq. meter, has completely been destroyed and property worth millions has gone up in smoke. Initial investigation point towards electric short circuit leading to fire and according to a rough estimation, property worth at least 100 million has been damaged. No casualty was reported until late last night, but at least six people have now been confirmed dead. Hira Pun, the security guard at the market was killed along with his two daughters and a son while his wife was seriously injured and is receiving treatment. Two others killed by the fire have yet to be identified.
Six fire engines from valley’s fire brigades and dozens of Nepal police and army personnel struggled to bring the flames under control as the blowing wind swept across the stalls which had vegetables and fruits stocked for the next day's sale in the market.
Although the fire was brought under control, the damage has been extensive and the impact of shortage in vegetables and fruits will be felt in the market on Sunday. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai met Home Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar early this morning and instructed him to ensure probe into the matter.