Altogether 43 fire incidents were reported from Dimapur and Chümoukedima districts since January 2024 up to January 4 this year.
Sharing this information with Nagaland Post, officer-in-charge (OC) of Fire Station Central, Dimapur, Sheiya Konyak said out of the 43 fire incidents, the Fire Station Central provided assistance in 29 incidents at Dimapur, Chümoukedima-8 and West-6.
OC mentioned that apart from minor injuries, no major casualties had been reported.
He said the most devastating incident during this period was the fire incident at Lower Naharbari on January 2, 2025. Describing it as the largest fire incident of the year, over 250 houses—mostly comprising of thatched structures—were damaged, rendering more than a thousand families homeless.
The OC disclosed that the fire incidents in Dimapur and Chümoukedima districts primarily involved residential properties and commercial establishments. He said these fires were often triggered by common but preventable causes, such as electrical short circuits, unattended cooking, and careless disposal of flammable materials.
He highlighted the challenges posed by the close proximity of houses in many areas, particularly in settlements where structures were built haphazardly with little regard for urban planning or safety guidelines. He pointed out that this dense construction not only amplified the risk of fire spreading quickly, but also made it extremely difficult for fire tenders and emergency personnel to access affected areas during a crisis.
Noting the issue of poor electrical infrastructure in these settlements, he revealed that many homes relied on improvised or substandard electrical wiring that was prone to short circuits, which was one of the leading causes of fire incidents in such dwelling places.
Konyak disclosed that the Fire Station Central currently functioned with 40 employees, including non-constables, and equipped with five fire tenders. While the station had been working tirelessly to respond to emergencies, he highlighted the challenges posed by the region’s rapid population growth and expansion of colonies.
“With only three fire stations serving two districts, it sometimes becomes difficult to reach certain colonies on time,” he admitted. According to him, the limited number of fire stations and the growing urban sprawls were critical issues, with delays often caused by inadequate road infrastructure and congestion in densely-populated areas.
He urged the general public to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent fire outbreaks. He also stressed saving emergency contact numbers for quick intervention during emergencies, adding that timely reporting of fire incidents could significantly reduce damage and save lives.