Shillong: A massive fire broke out in a multi-storey building at the main commercial hub of Police Bazar (Khyndailad) here in Meghalaya on Saturday afternoon throwing life out of gear, even as one person died due to suffocation from the billowing smoke.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Sylvester Nongtnger confirmed that one male died of suffocation due to smoke following the fire incident, while several other persons were rescued from the inferno.
Fire broke out in the afternoon at a furniture shop (old video parlour) at Thana Road and it spread to nearby Singhania complex close to the old Payal cinema hall, eyewitness said.
State Fire and Emergency Service Chief, Darwin Sangma said the cause of the fire is still unknown and would be known after further investigation.
“The firemen are still fighting to control the inferno,” Sangma said.
Several fire tenders of the Meghalaya Fire Service were rushed to the area but their entry was made difficult to navigate due to the narrow road in Thana Road.
Personnel of the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Assam Rifles were also engaged to douse the fire.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma took his various social media platforms, expressing concerns over the fire incident.
“The Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Assam Rifles, SDRF, Meghalaya Police, Fire Department and District Administration have together worked very hard and are playing a crucial role in dousing the fire and managing the situation in Police Bazar, Shillong. We thank them for their swift response and for standing by till this hour. Efforts are on to ensure the area is completely safe,” Sangma wrote on X.
The Chief Minister has also asked district administration to assess the damages and to assist the families affected by the incident.
The fire incident led to massive traffic snarl in the city and gave commuters a tough time as police restricted movement of vehicles towards police bazaar areas.
