ES Reporter 

Itanagar, Oct 25: More than 700 shops were reduced to ashes in a massive inferno that broke out at the landmark Daily Market at Naharlagun near Itanagar on Tuesday morning.
The fire reportedly broke out at around 04.00 AM to 04.30 AM of Tuesday engulfing the entire market area. While no one was hurt in the incident, goods estimated  to run into several lakhs was lost  in the blaze.
The market, the oldest in the state, is situated in the heart of the town and located near the fire station and Naharlagun police station. Shopkeepers alleged that after spotting the blaze they rushed to the adjacent fire station but no personnel could be found. Further, when the fire services personnel arrived, the fire engines did not have water.
A total of 4 fire tenders from Fire Station Naharlagun and Itanagar along with adequate fire crew were engaged in the operation, police informed.
Due to lack of water filling facility at Fire Station Naharlagun, the fire Tenders got the refilling done at a private facility of Lekhi Iron Factory which is at a distance of around 5 kms from the site of the incident. The road conditions delayed to and fro movements of the Fire Tenders. The narrow lanes within the congested market and presence of highly inflammable materials like cooking oil, plastic materials, and textile goods contributed to uncontrolled rapid expansion of fire, it said.
There was a major public hue and cry on the loss of livelihoods and allegations were raised against Fire personnel posted at FS Naharlagun. The District Police engaged with the agitated public and controlled the law & order situation effectively. A Preliminary Enquiry revealed that OC and Night Duty I/C failed to discharge their responsibilities in overall effective response. An administrative action vide their suspension order was issued by the Directorate F&ES, pending a formal fact finding enquiry,stated a release from PHQ, Itanagar, late Tuesday evening.
The fire is suspected to be caused by firecrackers or lamps lit for Diwali celebrations.
The ADC Capital Jiken Bomjen and team on behalf of the District Administration arranged immediate relief to the affected persons. The list of affected people is being prepared for extending further relief. DDMO Moromi Dodum Sonam informed that relief camp has been set up and activated at Govt. Hr. Secondary School, Kankarnallah, Naharlagun to accommodate the affected people who resided in their shops and immediate relief materials like bedding and clothing materials, food items, water and medicines have been arranged. However, none of the victims had shifted to the relief camp till the filing of this report.

She also informed that the District Administration would provide relief assistance to the victims as per the SDRF norms.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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