In an unfortunate incident, a major fire broke out in High School Junction, Kohima and completely burnt down three markets and affected adjoining commercial buildings in the wee hours on Saturday.
The fire reportedly broke out at around 2:00 am and is suspected to have been caused by a short-circuit as per sources. No fatalities have been reported from the incident according to the Fire Officials.
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Two main markets – AV Market and Peraciezie Market – and a row of shops were burnt down completely while two more commercial buildings – Vishal Mega Mart and North Hill Arcade were partially damaged.
The markets housed over 100 shops selling varieties of items including vegetables, meat, garments, kitchen utensils, mobile phones, grocery, etc and food joints. It was also learnt that four families including the caretaker resided in the AV Market.
It has been reported that the neighbours discovered the fire only when gas cylinders began to burst. They then contacted the Fire Department.
A youth from High School Colony said that when they first arrived at the site around 2:00 am, fire looked containable but it engulfed the whole building in no time that even the rain could not stop it.
Mention may be made that the two buildings were made of timber and metal roofing sheet, whereas the other two damaged buildings are concrete buildings.
The inferno was so challenging that fire trucks had to come from three stations – North, South and Chiephobozou – and also make several rounds of refilling. Till 4:30 pm smoke was still seen rising from the base of the structures and the firefighters were trying to douse the fire completely.
By evening, the authorities declared that it was no longer a threat.
The High School Traders Union, Kohima thanked the Kohima Village Youth Organisation (KVYO), Lhisemia Youth Organisation (LYO), Lhisemia Council and QRT (Kohima Village), Fire Department Kohima (North, South and Chiephobozou), Traffic Police Kohima (North), Peraciezie Youth Organisation, Peraciezie Baptist Church and under the command of Col SBB Sharma, Commandant, 1 Assam Rifles, Kohima for their swift action and helping hand to put out the fire and providing assistance.
More details awaited from concerned officials.
