Fire Engulfs Hotel Near Mount Everest Base Camp Amid Snowstorm
British tourists trapped by severe weather as flames consume Hotel Good Luck in Dingboche, Nepal.
A fire has destroyed the Hotel Good Luck near Mount Everest base camp in Dingboche, Nepal, forcing guests and staff to evacuate amid a severe snowstorm.
Footage shared on social media showed flames and thick black smoke billowing from the 17-room establishment on Friday morning. In one video, individuals in surrounding buildings were seen discarding mattresses and belongings from windows as the fire intensified. Another clip from inside the hotel depicted smoke-filled rooms with frantic guests attempting to escape.
British travel blogger Callan Bowl, who was present at the scene, captured the event on video and posted it to his Instagram. He described the situation, noting the lack of immediate rescue options due to heavy snowfall and avalanche risks in the area. "Nobody is allowed to move out of this area because of the snowfall, because of avalanches, so nobody can come put the fire out," Bowl stated.
The fire reportedly began around 11 a.m. local time, according to Police Deputy Superintendent Nabin Raja Budhathoki, who cited preliminary information suggesting a cooking gas cylinder explosion as the potential cause. A full investigation is pending.
Hotel owner Kul Bahadur Tamang confirmed that all guests and staff were safely evacuated. Trekking guide Arjun Gurung told the Everest Chronicle that the fire was impossible to contain due to the presence of numerous gas cylinders in the kitchen and the building's construction, which extensively used wood for insulation. "We could not do anything but watch it burn down," Gurung said.
Climbers en route to Everest Base Camp have been stranded in Dingboche due to the adverse weather conditions, exacerbating the difficulty of any potential rescue or firefighting efforts. "We could neither go higher nor descend. We are stuck here for a couple of days, waiting for the weather to clear," Gurung added.
Hotel Good Luck is a frequently used stopping point for trekkers in the region. Gurung expressed devastation, recalling the many positive memories associated with the establishment. Efforts are ongoing to fully extinguish the remaining flames, and the extent of the damage is currently being assessed.