By Rick M 
Dhangadhi was recently ravaged by a fire which burnt a hospital and several shops to ashes. It started at Bhandari General Store owned by Dal Bahadur Bhandari when there was a short circuit and it extended to the buildings of Sarathi Hospital Pvt Ltd. The occurrence has left people especially the local government and inhabitants stunned as they cut their losses on the life altering inferno.
Eyewitnesses said that after the explosion, dark columns of smoke could be seen rising from the scene as firefighters scrambled to the scene. The few fire tenders that arrived on the scene fought hard to put out the fire, which had already consumed a few buildings. People used their cars to transport a few patients from Sarathi Hospital, and everybody tried to save what they could from the burning shops with local police help.
Sarathi Hospital in Nashik was completely flooded destroying a part of the building and most of its equipment’s; however the exact loss has not been as yet calculated. Hospital managers are liaising with local health departments on how to safely continue working for patients who were relocated due to fire. Since it is only temporary there are some quick fixes already being made to cater for the displaced patient and staff.
This fire has greatly affected the small businesses around as many shops near Bhandari General Store caught a major fire. Most of the shop owners were left to watch their fortunes go up in flames. The fire has raised issues about the effects of the fire to the business prospects of the commercial city of Dhangadhi, as remarked by the local business people.
The police have opened an inquiry case to establish the cause of the fire in considering the instance of a short circuit at Bhandari General Store. In the affected buildings, electrical safety specialists have been invited to assess the electrical cables and systems. The occurrence has sparked debates on the nonimplementation of fire standards in the commerce and electric service provisions.
Local government leaders have however vowed to support those affected by the fire. Such needs are being addressed immediately by other means of emergency relief supplies and some form of place to temporarily stay for the affected residences and businesses. It also seeks ways with which it can support the businesses financially in order to enable the business owners to repair their stores.
These fire ravages have exposed the Dhangadhi community to the need to practice disaster preparedness. Residents have demanded new fire safety initiatives and the growth of the city’s fire-fighting response team. Plans are under way to increase the stringent building codes plus holding periodic safety check to avert such mishaps happening in future.
As the community mourns its losses due to a fire disaster, other ones are being told of brave acts and people pulling together in a disaster. Members of the community have been lauded for their response and participation in placing phone calls and or helping with the evacuation process. The neighboring towns have supported the community by donating more equipment and personnel that will be of importance in the recovery.
Due to this occurrence, the people of Dhangadhi have been able to have a discourse on urban planning and infrastructure development. Further, city planners are contemplating the issues of likely expansion of the roads to allow easy access to ambulances and the placement of fire hydrants in appropriate areas within the city. These steps are taken with the intent to improve the city’s preparedness and fast-reacting ability in case of future fire disasters.
More specifically, working with local businesses and other stakeholders, people have begun to arrange sales of food and clothes to raise money for victims, as well as collect clothes and shoes for them. People of the region have given their best support in rebuilding the required infrastructure for Dhangadhi, which shows strength and solidarity. Since clean-up and/or rebuilding strategies are done, there is hope of coming out of this tragedy as a better person as a community, country, and world.