Tehrathum, March 17 -- A fire engulfed 16 houses in 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 to ashes.

Man Bahadur Shrestha, the chair of ward 1, said the fire is still spreading to more nearby 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 inferno.

Chapagain said dense forests and the scarcity of water were hampering efforts to contain the fire.

Police said fire engines were unable to ...