A large number of people gather around the fire incident at Razhü Point, Kohima on August 1. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | August 1
In what may have been a major disaster, a fire was averted in a three-storey commercial building at Razhü Point, Kohima today in the afternoon.
The commercial area, few metres from the traffic point beside the road leading towards north of Kohima soon became overcrowded with people as smoke bellowed out around the area. According to Fire Department officials, who informed that a fire call was received at 12:30 pm in the afternoon, it had taken about 15 minutes to reach the spot due to traffic congestion.
The building is located just beside the highway with compact spaces between buildings on all sides.
Prima facie of the accident, the department said, the fire broke out due to short circuit and high heat subsequently flamed the domestic gas cylinder. The fire occurred from a room in the building being run as a restaurant. The fire from the restaurant, spread to another room which was a kitchenware shop, informed the official. The two rooms were adjacent, likely in the first floor of the three storey building.
The officials said that the fire was contained from spreading to the other floor of the building, which housed different shops. The official further informed that after ascertaining with the owner of the building, an initial estimated Rs 85 lakh worth of properties were damaged.
“After taking the whole worth of the property and building into account, we were able to save a worth of Rs 3 crore during the exercise,” the official maintained.
While, it was reported that persons were inside both the restaurant and shop given the peak time of the afternoon when the fire occurred, no casualty was informed and those working in the restaurant averted any injury.
During the operation, the fire department utilised four fire tenders from South and North Fire station along with fire crew.
Fire dept urges public to maintain safe distance
The Fire Department in relation to the fire incident that occurred today shared concern over people overcrowding fire accident without taking safety concerns into account.
The official observed that people come near for different purpose which include the bid to assist firemen, witness the fire save or retrieve properties, steal or take away things, take pictures and videos for circulation et cetera.
“In Nagaland, people come and converge, which become a hindrance for firemen and fire tenders to perform duty. People also come close near fire to take videos and photos,” it was stated.
The fireman, in this regard, despite awareness and drill exercise, which are carried out in institutions further requested people to observe safe distance for safety precautions.
