Pokhara: The Ward Police Office, Baidam, is learnt to have arrested seven persons for setting off a fire at the Raniban forest opposite the local Phewa Lake.

Those arrested are Subash Karki of Pokhara-8, Rajesh Shrestha, Arun Shokh, Bir Pun, Dinesh Pun, Deepak Sherchan and Suresh Karki.

The fire allegedly started when the seven boys who crossed over to the forest by using a boat wanted to smoke the fish they had caught.

The fire was brought under control with the joint efforts of the regional armed police force, the Ward police office, Baidam, the Royal Nepalese Army  personnel and the local people. The fire damaged some 15 ropani patch of forest, it is learnt.