Nepal, March 18 -- A forest fire that entered human settlements destroyed 23 houses and five sheds in ward 1 of Phedap Rural Municipality-1 of Tehrathum district on Sunday.

The forest fire, which began at around 1 pm, entered the human settlements, reducing houses in five villages of ward 1 of Phedap Rural Municipality to ashes.

Man Bahadur Shrestha, the chair of ward 1, said that even though in some places the fire has been controlled, it is still spreading to more villages, adding they are facing challenges in controlling the fire due to the sparse settlement surrounded by forest.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajan Chapagain said a police team has reached the area to contain the fire and is collaborating with locals to tame the in...