98 shops gutted in Nongpoh fire

NONGPOH: Over 98 shops were reduced to ashes after a major fire broke out at CTS Memorial Hat here around 11pm on Tuesday. The fire continued for four hours till 3.30 am when it was finally doused.
After hearing about the fire, locals rushed to the spot and alarmed the fire service in Nongpoh. Due to lack of fire tender from Nongpoh Fire Service, support was taken from Byrnihat and Umiam fire service station where the fire was under control.
Speaking with the owner of the market, CB Syiem informed that the reason for the fire was not yet known but the flames destroyed property worth around Rs 1 crore. The CTS Memorial is under the management of the Synroplang Multi-Purpose Society. There were 300 stalls, including RCC and wooden shops, in the market. Syiem said for RCC and wooden shops, the total loss is around Rs 15 lakh.
Syiem also lambasted the failure of the fire service as being the district headquarters there is only one fire extinguisher. He said the fire service is irresponsible and the incident could have happened at any point of time.
He also informed that the Town Committee will approach the government for immediate financial assistance to the affected shopkeepers. To take stock of the fire incident, the district administration has also sent a magistrate led by Kerwood Thabah as the Extra Assistant Commissioner and officers for assessing losses.
This is the second fire in two weeks. On January 2, another fire destroyed 11 houses in Nongpoh.