Volunteers assist fire personnel fight the blaze at Rio Colony, Signal Basti, Dimapur on April 12. (Photo courtesy Aden Jamir)
40 fire fighters, volunteers and over four hours to control fire in Dimapur
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 12
More than 150 families were rendered homeless in a fire at a congested neighbourhood in Rio colony, Signal Basti, Dimapur on April 12. The fire, the cause of which could not be ascertained, erupted at around 7:30am today and completely razed to ashes an unaccounted number of tin-roofed residential thatch structures leased out on rent. A Muslim prayer house was also destroyed by the flames.
It took 40 fire fighters, helped by local residents and neighbours, and more than four hours to bring the flames under control. However, no human casualty was reported. The Fire & Emergency Services in Dimapur informed that eight (8) fire trucks were requisitioned, including two from Chumukedima Fire Station. The fire affected some 30, 000 square feet area. At least 3-4 LPG cylinders exploded as a result of the fire, which was suspected to have erupted from an unattended fireplace.
The affected families are mostly daily wage earners and small-time businessmen. The Muslim Council, Dimapur (MCD) put the number of families affected at 158. The MCD and the Bengali Samaj, Dimapur, were on site with relief material for the affected, it was informed. The district administration responded with 20 bags of rice, while it was learned that more aid would be distributed on April 13.
