Three houses were completely gutted and another partially damaged in a fire at Longzang Village in Mon district on August 18 at around 4:22 p.m.. No injuries, casualties or livestock deaths were reported.

The village has no fire brigade stationed nearby, and the nearest fire service is based in Mon Town, around 43 kilometres away, according to Lohwang, Chief Angh of Longzang Village. He said the distance makes it difficult for the fire service to reach the village quickly in such incidents.

Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, Lohwang said the cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained and that there is currently no lead on how it broke out.

The fire occurred when many families were away from home for a Job Card photograph session being conducted within the village area. The session was around half a kilometre away from the affected houses. Women and children who had remained at home noticed the fire and reported the incident.

According to a report prepared by the Longzang Village Council, the three houses that were completely gutted belonged to Aichuh, L Anam and Achuh. The families lost household belongings, clothes, kitchen utensils and personal documents.

Aichuh reportedly lost five muzzle-loading guns, one 12-bore gun, 100 pieces of Fanta wood and Rs. 1.80 lakh in cash, apart from other household belongings and documents.

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L Anam lost three muzzle-loading guns, Rs. 1.20 lakh in cash, personal documents and household belongings, while Achuh lost one muzzle-loading gun, Rs. 90,000 in cash, documents and other household items.

Another house belonging to Ayem was partially damaged. The detailed extent of the damage and loss is yet to be assessed.

Lohwang said the affected families are currently taking shelter with families in the colony. He said food has been arranged for them and that the village council and villagers are assisting the affected families.

He further said he has directed that temporary houses be constructed for the three families, with the councils of Longzang, Wetting and Pukha villages, along with council members and villagers, to assist in the construction.

Lohwang said Longzang is the larger village, while Wetting and Pukha are smaller villages, and the three villages fall under his territory. He said he was away from the village when the fire occurred.

The village council stated that the actual value of the property and household items lost in the fire is yet to be assessed.