Fire: Thirteen families lost all their belongings yesterday in a fire that gutted 13 temporary sheds at 3:50pm near the Food Corporation of Bhutan (FCB) godown in Changzamtok, Thimphu.

Most of the house owners were out for work when the incident happened.

Thimphu police’s fire brigades department deployed two fire-fighting vehicles immediately. However, not much could be salvaged from the fire.

Police officials said that they rushed soon after they received a call backed by fire fighting vehicles from Motithang and Dechencholing. It took almost two hours to control the fire.

Witness blamed fire department for late response.

“Had fire and rescue team acted promptly; half of the huts could have been easily saved,” said a man who helped put down the fire.

However, Captain Ugyen Wangdi said the police deployed two fire-fighting vehicles immediately to the spot after they got a call.

Three gas cylinders exploded and sent pieces of gas stoves flying over the roof of FCB building.

The Office of the Gyalpoi Zimpom gave semso of Nu 10,000 each to the family.

By Tashi Tenzin