A fierce nocturnal blaze wreaked havoc at Tirap Market in Assam's Tirap district, reducing nine commercial establishments to mere ashes in a devastating incident that has left local business owners in utter despair.
The fire erupted around 1:30 AM, quickly engulfing multiple shops in its path. Despite the darkness and challenging conditions, firefighting teams responded with remarkable urgency, battling the flames for several hours to prevent further destruction.
Rapid Response Prevents Catastrophe
Local authorities confirmed that the timely intervention of fire services played a crucial role in containing what could have been a much larger disaster. "Our teams reached the spot within minutes of receiving the alert and worked tirelessly to control the situation," stated a senior fire official.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with preliminary assessments pointing toward possible electrical short circuits as the potential trigger. The complete absence of casualties is being attributed to the late-hour occurrence when the market was closed and deserted.
Business Owners Face Massive Losses
Shop owners arriving at the scene Thursday morning were met with heartbreaking scenes of complete destruction. Preliminary estimates suggest losses running into lakhs of rupees, with merchandise, equipment, and shop infrastructure completely destroyed.
Local administration officials have initiated damage assessment procedures and are coordinating relief measures for affected business owners. The incident has raised serious questions about fire safety protocols in commercial establishments across the region.
Community Response and Support
Neighboring shopkeepers and local residents have rallied to support the affected business owners, offering temporary space and assistance. Market association representatives have demanded immediate government intervention and compensation for those who lost their livelihoods overnight.
This incident serves as a stark reminder about the importance of robust fire safety measures in commercial areas, particularly in markets with dense concentrations of shops and flammable materials.
