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A massive fire broke out at Mao Market near Bethel Hospital in Kohima around 4-5 pm on Monday.
The fire, which was suspected to have started from one of the shops in the commercial area, quickly spread and engulfed the market in flames.
Fire personnel pressed into action to douse the fire as the South Fire Station Kohima is situated opposite the incident site while reinforcement of fire tenders and personnel were called in from North Fire Station Kohima. The firefighters pumped water from Sokhriezie Lake to douse the fire.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Assam Rifles, Nagaland Police, and public (volunteers) were engaged in fighting the fire.
Patients at Bethel Hospital were evacuated to Oking Hospital and other healthcare centres as a precautionary measure as it is located next to the market which caught fire. Officials, however, told this newspaper that the Bethel Hospital was safe though cracks caused by the heat of the fire were visible on its wall.
A few people were said to have sustained injuries in the fire and were provided first aid but there was no reports of casualty till the time of filing this report. The number of houses and property damaged is yet to be ascertained.
No fresh flame was visible though smoke continues to engulf the locality.
The exact cause of the fire is not known but an electrical short circuit is suspected to have started it.