SHILLONG: After a gruelling two-hour struggle, firefighters successfully extinguished a massive blaze that consumed the century-old Shillong Bar Association building.
The incident unfolded at approximately 10:15 pm on Saturday, eliciting a rapid response from emergency services.
Amidst the chaos, four fire brigades and over 15 to 20 firefighters from the Fire and Emergency Service swiftly descended upon the scene, tirelessly battling the inferno.
Their efforts culminated in the suppression of the flames around 12:25 am.
Upon learning of the situation, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, accompanied by Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar, promptly arrived at the scene to assess the extent of the damage and offer support.
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Expressing dismay over the incident, Sangma assured the public via a midnight post on a micro-blogging website handle, stressing on the absence of casualties and the significant structural damage sustained by the century-old establishment.
“Took stock of the situation at Shillong Bar Association office. It is very unfortunate incident but we are relieved that there is no casualty. The century old infrastructure is damaged. We will monitor the situation and ensure minimum damage,” he wrote.
Inspector General of Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES), Francis Kharshiing, rushed to the scene after receiving a call around 10:30 pm.
Kharshiing informed a local daily that the Bara Bazar Fire Station was the first to respond and despite the damage, they managed to control the blaze within 30 minutes and prevent its further spread.
Authorities are diligently investigating the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined at this time.
As the investigation progresses, updates will be provided to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This unfortunate event marks the second major fire incident to strike the capital in recent months.
Just last October, a devastating fire ravaged a building at Police Bazar in Shillong, resulting in tragic loss of life.
Consequently, discussions regarding the state’s emergency preparedness and the imperative need for infrastructural enhancements are expected to ensue in the wake of this incident.
