Forest Fire at Lumbini Development Trust Controlled, Key Structures Safe

A fire that broke out on Thursday morning at the Lumbini Development Trust premises in Rupandehi has been successfully extinguished. The blaze started around 10:30 a.m. in the forested area of the campus and was brought under control after three hours, preventing damage to key structures.

According to DSP Pankaj Paudel, the fire affected about three bighas of forest near the International Conference Center on the premises. He stated that thanks to the coordinated efforts of all security agencies and local stakeholders, important facilities including the conference center, library, and museum were spared from damage.

In the firefighting operation, 25 personnel from the Nepal Army, 30 from the Armed Police Force, 15 from the Nepal Police, 10 from Lumbini Development Trust, and 10 from the local municipality were deployed. DSP Paudel added that a JCB was used to create firebreaks to prevent the fire from spreading. One fire truck and an ambulance were also utilized, and the combined efforts of all agencies made it possible to control the fire.