Majorkhul Fire Tragedy: Five hurt; 13 houses, 3 shops destroyed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 24 2014: At least five people including a 12-year-old girl sustained burnt injuries in a raging inferno that destroyed over 13 houses and three shops at Majorkhul in Thangal Bazaar in the heart of Imphal city on Tuesday.

Estimated loss in the fire is said to be worth crores of rupees.

The fire broke out about 11:30 am and it took more than two hours for a total of 13 fire tenders to bring the blaze under control.

The fire tenders from Imphal, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Mayang Imphal were pressed into service to put out the fire that engulfed most of the structures in the area including a portion of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Guest House.

Nine fire tenders from Imphal Fire Service first rushed to the spot on hearing the report of the fire outbreak, but they were delayed by half an hour to reach the spot due to traffic jam on their way.

Majorkhul Fire Tragedy

While waiting for the fire tenders to arrive, one domestic LPG cylinder suddenly exploded in one of the houses from where the devastating fire was believed to have been started at around 11:45 am, thus increasing the intensity of the inferno.

Not long after 17 domestic LPG cylinders burst in quick succession in other houses, giving a hard time to the firefighters in trying to control the fire from spreading.

The traffic police also faced a tough situation in trying to controlling a huge crowd gathered to witness the horrifying scene of flames leaping from one house to another.

The National Highway-2 section from Governor Road to Khoyathong had to be blocked for some times to give way to the fire tenders which were rushing in.

The crowd was angered by the firefighters who were seen stopping in front of the State Assembly Guest House in the hope saving the MLA quarters first by neglecting the private houses which were caught on fire.

Later, two fire tenders from Assam Rifles and CRPF joined the State fire tenders in their efforts to control the fire.

Afterwards, Manipur Police's anti-riot vehicle Varun also joined them in bringing the fire under control.

Volunteers of Red Cross Society and Disaster Management were also seen helping in evacuating the people from the site.

One Khushirai, a 12-year-old girl, a resident of one of the houses destroyed by the fire, was among five people who sustained burnt injuries on her right arm and she was taken to a nearby hospital for medication.

The other four victims suffered minor injuries.

The fire was believed to have been ignited from a leaked domestic LPG cylinder in the house of one Rajni Kamei, who keeps several tenants mostly non-locals working as labourers and shop-keepers.

There are 6 rooms in Rajni's house, which is located just behind Manipur Legislative Assembly Guest House.

From Rajni's house, the fire spread to the building of Manipur Legislative Assembly Guest House.

One water plastic tank (Syntax) and some water pipes kept on the top floor of the building were partially damaged by the fire.

Before it could do any major harm, the fire changed its direction because of the wind and spread to other nearby houses and shops.

One mobile phone shop, one mobile repairing shop and one vacant shop were reduced to ashes along with 13 houses in the fire.

The names of some of the owners of buildings affected by the inferno are G Joy Kabui, 66 years, s/o late Alco Kabui, another G Joy, 50 years, s/o late Chaoba, Manbi, 64 years, wife of Lucky Kabui, K Jiten, s/o late Satui, Pheirenjao, s/o G Abuina, Joy Golmei, 49 years and one Kalenjao Kamei.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who came to review the situation was unable to go near the spot due to thick smoke billowing from burning buildings.

So, he watched the raging fire from atop the four-storeyed Manipur Press Club building which is located about 100 metres north of Majorkhul.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Lokeshwor, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai, MLAs L Ibomcha, N Biren, and Parliamentary Secretary for YAS M Prithiviraj, Director General of Police Saheed Ahmed, Principal Secretary (Home), Suresh Babu, IGP (Law and Order) Clay Khongsai, DIG-Range-1 IK Muivah, Director of Manipur Fire Service Chandramani, etc were also among other several public leaders who rushed in to review the situation.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the visit, Chief Minister O Ibobi said Tuesday's major fire incident was unfortunate.

He also admitted that the fire tenders took time to reach the site because of traffic congestion on the roads of Imphal and assured that he will make efforts to solve the traffic problem.