Rajbiraj: A fire that broke out on Saturday night in Vabhangama Tole of Tilathi Koiladi Rural Municipality-6 in Saptari destroyed 12 structures belonging to six families, police said.

According to local resident Ramnath Yadav, the fire reportedly started from embers lit in the cowshed of local resident Ramavatar Yadav.

The blaze quickly spread and destroyed two houses and a cowshed belonging to Ramavatar Yadav, two houses and a shed of neighbor Jugai Yadav, two houses and a shed of Anil Yadav and one house each belonging to Yogindra Yadav, Rajkumar Yadav and Dhirendra Yadav.

In total, nine houses and three cowsheds were completely destroyed in the incident.

The District Police Office said the fire caused damage worth more than Rs 4.5 million, including food grains, clothes, furniture, jewelry, cash and other household property, according to a preliminary estimate.

The fire was brought under control with the help of a fire engine from Hanumannagar Kankalini Municipality and the Madhesh Province Police Training Center in Rajbiraj, along with support from local residents.