Coordinated Fires Devastate Nepal’s State Institutions, Raising Questions of Conspiracy

Kathmandu — In a single afternoon on September 9, Nepal witnessed one of the most devastating episodes in its modern political history, as coordinated fires swept across the nation, destroying hundreds of government buildings, private properties, and political residences. The scale and precision of the arson attacks have left investigators and experts questioning whether the inferno was a spontaneous act of rage or a meticulously planned assault on the Nepali state.

The widespread arson followed the killing of 19 anti-corruption protesters by security forces in Kathmandu the previous day. What initially appeared to be a furious outburst of public anger has since shown signs of deeper orchestration. A New York Times investigation, based on eyewitness accounts, forensic insights, and on-site visits, points toward evidence of organized coordination rather than random chaos.

Within hours of the September 8 shootings, lists began circulating online, naming individuals accused of corruption and patronage. By the next day, many of those names had turned into targets—their homes, offices, and even schools connected to them engulfed in flames. Nepal’s executive, legislative, and judicial buildings were not spared; the scale of destruction has been compared to “hundreds of airstrikes in a handful of hours.”

“You don’t get so many buildings on fire in a short time frame without a good deal of organizational prowess,” said Richard Hagger, a senior fire investigator. “Something like that takes weeks, if not months, of planning.”

More than 110 police stations in and around Kathmandu were torched, and countless ministries and courts—including the historic Singha Durbar complex—were left in ruins. Initial government estimates suggest the economic damage could amount to over one-third of Nepal’s GDP. The crisis culminated in the resignation of the Prime Minister, collapsing the government amid national turmoil.

Despite the scale of the tragedy, no formal forensic investigation has yet begun. Pawan Dhungana, section chief at the central forensic science lab, confirmed that his team had received no debris samples to analyze, saying, “Seeing all these conflagrations, not just in Kathmandu but all around the country, one can suspect it was preplanned. Of course, we don’t have any evidence of anything.”

Fire experts suspect that controlled chemicals such as sodium or magnesium might have been used to intensify the blazes—substances that require both expertise and restricted access. Open windows in key buildings before the fires broke out further fueled speculation that some fires may have been internally facilitated.

“The ferocity of the fire, the devastation, and the rapid ignition all suggest that accelerants were strategically used,” said Kenneth Kee, a principal consultant at Fire Science Forensics in Singapore. “Then you have to ask—how did they get inside? Was it an inside job? Did security abandon their posts?”

Witnesses described groups of men distributing petrol bombs and working in shifts. Several participants, mostly young, said older men provided them with fuel-filled containers, promising payment after successful attacks. In some neighborhoods, fires were lit on alternate floors—an arson tactic used to spread flames efficiently, indicating systematic coordination.

The interim government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki has formed a commission to probe both the arson and the excessive use of force during the protests. However, with Nepal’s judicial backlog, experts warn it could take years before any conclusive findings emerge. Business communities, meanwhile, are urging swift action to restore investor confidence and public trust.

Nepal’s history is not unfamiliar with politically motivated arson. During the Maoist insurgency and later protests, fires were often used as symbols of rebellion. Yet the events of September 9 stand apart for their national scale, precision, and devastating economic and institutional toll.