A massive fire broke out early Sunday morning at East Block, Zeliang Colony in Burma Camp, Dimapur, reducing hundreds of homes to ashes and leaving more than 500 families homeless.

The inferno, which began between 6:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. near the Burma Camp Mela ground, spread rapidly through the area due to the prevalence of kutcha (thatched/makeshift) structures and heavy congestion. While property worth lakhs has been destroyed, authorities have confirmed that there are no reports of human casualties or injuries at this time.

Fire tenders from Central, West, and Chumoukedima Fire Stations were pressed into action immediately. Police personnel from the East Police Station and local civilians joined the effort to contain the blaze.

However, firefighting operations were severely hampered by the narrow access roads within the colony.

Sources that the fire tenders arrived on time and managed to save the rest of the colony, but lack of parking spaces for fire tenders hampered their work.

The fire reportedly threatened nearby commercial establishments, including scrap shops, sawmills, and truck garages, with firefighters working strenuously to prevent the flames from engulfing a major garage in the vicinity.

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According to colony officials, the devastation is widespread. According to GB of East Block, approximately 300 houses across nine rows were destroyed.

While the cause of the fire is unknown, there are speculations that it was caused either by a short circuit or a cooking incident.

Meanwhile, the Colony Council is ascertaining the extent of the damage caused by the fire and listing out the number of victims. The Council has also arranged immediate first aid and food for the victims, while a temporary relief camp is being set up near North East Christian University area.

Local leaders have appealed to the District Administration, the local MLA, and the State Government for immediate emergency relief for the hundreds of displaced families.