POKHARA: The Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gandaki has expressed deep concern over a fire that gutted a lodge at Annapurna Base Camp last week, calling on federal, provincial, and local governments to urgently address fire safety, emergency preparedness, and insurance gaps across Nepal's high-altitude tourism infrastructure.

The fire broke out at Peaceful Lodge and Restaurant at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) on March 25 at approximately 4:30 pm, reportedly caused by a cooking gas leak. The blaze destroyed nine rooms along with stored food supplies, clothing, furniture, and other materials before being brought under control by local residents, tourism entrepreneurs, and trekkers present at the scene — working against strong winds and in the challenging conditions of a high Himalayan environment.

All tourists staying at the lodge, mostly foreign nationals, were safely evacuated in time with no human casualties reported. However, personal belongings and trekking equipment of some guests were lost in the fire.

Issuing a press release, TAAN Gandaki President Krishna Prasad Acharya said the incident should not be viewed merely as the loss of a single business but as a stark indicator of the fire risks, inadequate emergency preparedness, and limited rescue capacity that characterise tourism infrastructure across Nepal's high-altitude regions. Low temperatures, air pressure fluctuations, strong winds, and the rapid spread of fire in remote terrain make such emergencies particularly dangerous and difficult to manage.

The association expressed heartfelt sympathy to the affected lodge owner and family, and called on concerned authorities to provide immediate relief and support reconstruction of the damaged structure.

TAAN Gandaki has also urged the Department of Tourism, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), and federal, provincial, and local governments to take coordinated action on effective fire risk management systems, emergency rescue mechanisms, safety standard implementation, and the expansion of insurance coverage for tourism infrastructure in high-altitude areas.