The fire, which razed three Wood Craft Centre’s staff quarters also led to a forest fire at Langjophakha, Thimphu yesterday.

The forest fire, which started around noon contained after a chopper was called to aid the volunteers in containing the fire.

Of the 10 quarters at the Wood Craft Centre, three that caught fire were adjacent to each other.

The first house was reported to be locked as its tenant was on tour. A police official said that his wife, who also works at the centre, had checked all electrical appliances before leaving for work.

The woodcraft centre is located few feet away from the staff’s quarter and the cause of the fire is still unknown.

One of the residents, Jigme Yoezer, said there was smoke when he returned home. His wife was in the kitchen and was unaware of the fire. “I took out the LPG cylinder and escaped and saw my neighbours taking their belongings out.”

It was about 11:30am. Except for few belongings from one house, the two houses couldn’t save any.

Officials said that the forest fire is suspected to have been from the explosion of a LPG cylinder. No casualties were reported.

Phurpa Lhamo