Shillong: A major fire swept through Goenka Compound near Sohra Stand in Shillong on Friday evening, gutting a cluster of makeshift houses and displacing nearly 200 families. Officials said no injuries or casualties were reported in the incident.
According to East Khasi Hills superintendent of police Vivek Syiem, the first alert was received at around 4.30 pm, following which fire and emergency services were immediately mobilised.
Fire tenders were rushed to the spot, with additional units called in as the blaze spread rapidly through the densely packed settlement.
As the fire intensified, personnel and equipment from the Army, Border Security Force and the Indian Air Force were deployed to support the firefighting effort.
Teams from the Fire and Emergency Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards continued operations late into the evening to bring the situation under control and prevent the flames from spreading further.
Syiem said preliminary assessment indicates that around 200 households were affected.
The district administration has since arranged temporary accommodation for the displaced families at three separate locations.
On the possible cause of the fire, the SP said the area had experienced power outages through much of the day, with electricity restored shortly before the incident.
“A short circuit cannot be ruled out at this stage, but the exact cause will be known only after a detailed investigation,” he said.
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Cabinet minister and local MLA Sanbor Shullai visited the site soon after the fire, interacted with affected residents and reviewed relief arrangements. He assured families of all possible assistance from the government.
