Over 100 houses (bamboo structures with CGI roof) were reduced to ashes in a devastating fire that engulfed Namgalong colony, Burma Camp here Friday. No loss of life was reported, but one of the affected sustained minor injuries while trying to save his belongings . According to colony council members and nearby residents, it was suspected that the fire broke out from a kerosene-stove in one of the hutments at around 2 p.m. The occupants were mostly auto drivers, daily wage earners, etc.
Officer in-Charge Dimapur Fire Service, A. Wati Jamir said that the exact cause of the fire and estimates of loss and damages to properties was being worked out.
According to nearby residents, some LPG gas cylinders also exploded during the fire. It took one and half hour for five fire trucks, including two from Chumukedima, to contain the inferno. However nothing could be saved. One of the fire trucks was immobilised , after one of its wheels sank on the soft mud while trying to navigate the narrow lane.
ADC Dimapur, Sara S. Jamir, who is also the nodal officer of the District Disaster Management Authority, was present at the site to take stock of the situation. The site, below the Burma Camp overbridge was very congested and difficult to evacuate the affected. Sara opined that Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) should enforce building by-laws to avert recurrence of fire incidents in the future.
The ADC also donated Rs. 10,000 to the affected victims for buying food and vegetables for the evening.
Till the filing of this report, 83 households have been confirmed to have been affected comprising of 239 persons. The number could rise as assessments continue.