200 families rendered homeless in Dimapur
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 14
ATLEAST 200 families are reported to have been rendered homeless and unaccounted number of vehicles reduced to ashes in a devastating fire which broke this evening at around 8:45 pm in Zeliangrong Colony, Burma Camp here.Resident at the site said more than 200 hundred families are likely to have been affected following the devastating inferno which broke out before they retired for the night. The area, which also houses four garages, has been reduced to cinder. Sources informed that atleast 10-15 vehicles were damaged in the fire.
Differing versions on the cause of the fire have emerged, though the exact cause was yet to be ascertained. One section has pointed towards explosion of an LPG cylinder, while another has attributed it to electric short circuit.
Even as the fire continues to raze, report of any loss of life or injuries and the estimated loss of properties could not be ascertained till time of filing of this report. The actual estimate would be known only tomorrow, sources said.
A mega mela in the vicinity, organized by Shokhuvi Students’ Union, however, has been spared by providence.
The scene inside the mela was more than dramatic as the panic stricken people ran amok in their attempt to salvage their belongings. Fortunately, by divine providence, the mela was left untouched.
Mention also may be made here that fire fighters have put on a brave front by deploying fire tenders which could bring the fire under control.
Seven families affected in Kma
Correspondent
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 14
A major fire, suspected to have started from a short circuit, broke out in New Market Colony, here this afternoon at around 1.30 pm. Three thatched houses were completely razed in the fire, rendering seven families homeless, while another neighbouring house and the nearby Oking Hospital & Research Clinic were slightly affected. However, no human casualty was reported.
The three houses that were burned down belonged to late Neilazothie of Khonoma village. The houses are reported to be partly occupied by the family of the owner while the rest are on lease. Seven fire tenders from Kohima Fire Brigade and Assam Rifles along with private water carriers rushed to the site.
They managed to control the fire from spreading and causing further damage. With additional voluntary help from the public and youth of New Market, the fire was doused completely at about 4 pm.
The incident, occurring in the middle of the town, created panic among the people, particularly pedestrians and inhabitants of neighbouring houses, and also brought vehicular traffic in the State capital to a standstill for about two hours.
Staff and in-patients of Oking Hospital & Research Clinic had to go through an ordeal as they had to be evacuated from the hospice for fear that the fire may spread into the building. One of the staff, talking to this correspondent, said the smoke from the fire filled the hospital premises and 15 in-patients were evacuated along with hospital equipments which were highly inflammable. He also disclosed that four surgeries that were due this afternoon had to be deferred.
Meanwhile, several cases of suffocation and fainting from smoke inhalation and trauma were reported in the nearby private clinics.
Social Welfare Minister Kiyanilie Peseyie also rushed to the fire site and expressed sympathy and support to the affected families.
The worth of property lost in the fire could not be ascertained till the time of filing of this report.
