Devastating fire guts 9 shops at Kailashahar; minority traders hit hard in Ramadan month

A massive fire broke out at Nurpur Market in Kailashahar of Unakoti district early Thursday morning, completely destroying nine shops and leaving several minority traders devastated in the holy month of Ramadan.

Sources said that  the blaze reduced a motorbike showroom, grocery stores, and a computer shop to ashes. As traders had stocked up heavily with new goods in preparation for Ramadan, the financial losses are said to be enormous.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit. However, local residents have alleged that inadequate water supply in the fire engine and a mechanical failure in starting the pump delayed firefighting efforts, resulting in greater damage of their properties.

After receiving information about the incident, local MLA Birajit Sinha and senior administrative officials visited the site. The MLA has demanded a thorough probe into the alleged negligence of the Fire department and immediate government assistance for all affected traders.

While, police have launched an investigation to determine whether the incident was purely accidental or an act of sabotage.

With the festive season approaching, the affected business owners are left shattered after losing everything in the blaze.