in the Makhana Toli village under the Town police station area in Bihar's Araria district today, an official said.
The fire broke out in a house due to a short circuit and spread to adjoining areas gutting 40 houses, the Circle Officer Satyendra Kumar Singh said.
Besides household goods, foodgrain and two motorcycles were also damaged in the blaze, he said.
Fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames, Singh said adding exact damages due to fire was being assessed for payment of compensation to the affected families.