BIRATNAGAR: A fire engulfed a scrap godown in Satghumti, Biratnagar, claiming the lives of 40-year-old Deepak Mandal and an unidentified woman.

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, and both victims succumbed to the flames.

The deceased woman perished at the scene, while Mandal passed away during treatment at Neuro Hospital Biratnagar.

The event unfolded when the fire erupted unexpectedly at Kawadi godown around 2:15 pm.

DSP Ranjan Dahal, Spokesperson of District Police Office Morang, reported that four individuals sustained serious injuries in the blaze.

The injured were identified as 60-year-old Rita Sardar, 65-year-old Sushila Paswan, 30-year-old Pinky Kamat, and 58-year-old Kishor Kamat.

Of them, Rita and Sushila are in critical condition.

Efforts to ensure prompt medical attention saw all four injured persons airlifted to Kathmandu by the Nepalese army’s sky truck (helicopter) on Wednesday evening.

Currently undergoing treatment at Kirtipur Burn Hospital, their conditions are being closely monitored.

The fire’s origin, which resulted in the tragic loss of two lives and injuries to others, remains unclear.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident.

The fire, which ignited near the exit gate of the godown, posed challenges for workers inside, hindering their escape.

However, the swift intervention of fire extinguishers eventually brought the flames under control.