Williamnagar: Thursday night’s inferno that broke out at Rongsak market, 25 kms from Williamnagar town,destroying over thirteen major shops and many smaller ones could have been averted had fire and emergency staff arrived on time, locals allege.
The owners of the shops which were destroyed in the midnight inferno have accused the fire and emergency staff personnel of not reacting to the incident.
“As soon as the fire was detected around 12-45 to 1 AM we tried desperately to inform the emergency services of the fire department at Williamnagar, but they did not take our calls,” said the affected persons.
They also said that attempts to contact the 108 emergency services received a similar response.
“The police personnel from the anti-dacoity camp at Rongsak also made attempts to inform Williamnagar fire department but they did not turn up when the fire was raging,” said the victims who believe timely arrival of the water tankers could have contained the large scale destruction.
A man who was intoxicated and asleep in a room adjoining a godown was saved by locals who broke open the door and dragged him away to safety before the fire spread to the house.
