Raging inferno reduces at least 8 houses to cinders at Majorkhul
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 24 2014:
At least eight houses of Major Khul located to the western side of Manipur Legislative Assembly guest house were reduced to ashes by a devastating inferno today.
People staying in the guest house ran out for their lives leaving behind all their belongings.
Chief Minister O Ibobi, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Ministers, MLAs and top ranking Government offices were stunned and devastated on seeing the scene.
It is said that the inferno broke out from a leaky LPG cylinder in the upper storey of a building belonging to one Lajani Palmei (50) w/o late Khumanjao Palmei at around 11.30 am.
One Khushi (11) d/o Lalan Rai from Bihar who is staying in a rented room sustained injuries in the inferno.
She has been taken to Chambers of Commerce Hospital.
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Even as Manipur Fire Service was informed immediately, they could not arrive quickly.
As the fire engulfed the whole building, many other LPG cylinders exploded one after another thereby multiplying the intensity of the inferno.
This was followed by a chaotic but touching scene of people running out from the adjoining houses.
At around 12.27 pm, two fire tenders reached the spot for the first time.
The fire men struggled hard to douse the fire but they were unsuccessful.
Soon after their water tanks got exhausted.
As they went back to re-fill their tanks, the inferno spread to many other houses and structures.
Speaker Th Lokeshore who was directly involved in the rescue operation was infuriated on seeing the ineptitude and inefficacy of the fire tenders.
At around 1.30 pm, renewed efforts were made to control and douse the inferno with the arrival of a number of fire tenders one after another.
Police Department's water canon (Varun) was also pressed into service.
But the inferno could not be controlled in spite of all the efforts.
Later, water was drawn directly from Kangla Pat.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Chief Minister Ibobi arrived at the spot one after another.
Ibobi went to Manipur Press Club and inspected the scene from its top floor.
He was stunned and left speechless on seeing the raging inferno.
After struggling for almost two hours, the fire tenders and police personnel were finally able to control the inferno at around 2.30 pm.
The houses reduced to ashes by the inferno belonged to Kalenjao Kamei (64) s/o late Maimu, Lajani Palmei w/o late Khumanjao Palmei, Abuina Golmei (75), Akomnu Paomei (70), Manbi Kamei (65) w/o late Lucky, Biramangol Kamei (60), Joy Golmei (45) s/o late Chaoba, Gaithuilung Kamson (50) and Anajon.