Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 12:
More than 150 residences and shops have been razed to the ground and eight persons including a fireman were injured in a blaze that devastated Uripok Chakrikom area located opposite to the Cheirap Court at around 6.30 pm today.
The loss in the fire has not been estimated yet.
Fire Brigade sources said they received the report of the fire at around 6.35 pm.
Nine fire tenders were immediately pressed into service to fight the blaze.
The origin of the fire has not been ascertained though it was suspected to have started from a hotel.
Reports said that the majority of the shops gutted include hotels, oil stores, grocery shops, workshops, tyre stores and five PCOs.
It took more than two hours for the firemen and other helpers to contend the fire.
The spread of the fire was enhanced by the burning of the oil stores.
Black smoke billowing over the area was seen from far off places.
The fireman identified as Soraisam Hemanta (31) of Heikrujam Mamang Leikai was injured when he was trying to control the fire.
He received burn injuries at his hands.
The other injured persons are W Ramananda (29) of Wahengbam Leikai, L Bembem alias Mangla (30) of Nagamapal Laimayum Leirak, N Sanayai (17) of Singjubung Leirak, L Gunamani (19) of Lalambung Makhong, Th Naocha (17) Lamphel Sana Keithel, Yumnam Harishwari (25) of Uripok Achom Leikai and Kh Kanta (20) of Uripok Tourangbam Leikai.
Ramananda got burnt when he tried to save his properties.
Harishwari fainted assuming her sister�s son has been burnt.
The boy was later found intact.
The other received wounds from busting tin sheets and glass.
They were admitted to the RIMS Hospital where they were declared to be out of danger.
Moirangthem Ongbi Thoibi Devi whose shop has also been gutted, said the spread of the fire, so quick that they ran out of options.
A shop owner however alleged that the Fire Brigade came late.