There is no respite from devastating fires in Nagaland, as dozens of houses are reduced to ashes annually, primarily due to electrical short circuit.
There is no respite from devastating fires in Nagaland, as dozens of houses and commercial complexes are reduced to ashes every year. Hundreds of families are rendered homeless by catastrophic blazes, which destroy their properties, life savings, and their very sources of income. As per the government data made available to the public, Dimapur district records the highest number of fire incidents year after year, followed by Chümoukedima and Kohima. A clear pattern has emerged: most incidents are attributed to electrical short circuits, often originating in older buildings and "kutcha" houses. These infernos spread rapidly, causing widespread destruction. A massive fire in Dimapur's Burma Camp, East Block, in 2023 killed one person and destroyed 260 thatched houses, displacing approximately 900 people. The same locality was hit again in December last year, when another devastating blaze razed 65 thatched houses, affecting around 250 families. These incidents share some common characteristics: clustered houses and the materials used in building such structures. Close proximity between houses and the use of combustible materials like thatch, bamboo, and wood accelerate the spread of fire. A closer look into these cases also reveals that most incidents occur during the dry season and are caused by human negligence, primarily electrical short circuits, which are typically caused by damaged wire insulation due to age or overheating, loose connections, substandard appliances, and faulty installations. The recent fire at the ageing Nagaland House in New Delhi, for instance, was reportedly caused by a short circuit in an air-conditioning unit. This explains why fire incidents are more prevalent in older buildings and temporary structures, underscoring the critical need for basic fire safety practices. These include installation by licensed electricians, periodic testing, and regular fire safety inspections.
Regarding cluster housing, the Nagaland government has regulations in place, particularly for major urban settlements like Dimapur and Kohima, to ensure fire safety and structural stability, given their location in a high-risk seismic zone. The Nagaland Standardised Development and Building Regulations and the Nagaland Building Bye-Laws mandate strict setbacks to ensure adequate boundary spacing between plots. A formal building permit, including details of open spaces and setbacks in site plans, must be obtained from urban local bodies for any construction. This is what the rulebook says. What remains in obscurity is the actual implementation on the ground. However, the recurring devastating fire incidents attest to widespread non-compliance with these regulations. To mitigate fire risks and prevent loss of life and property, concerned authorities must strictly enforce the Building Bye-Laws. The state's Fire & Emergency Services has successfully contained numerous infernos and conducts awareness programmes to prevent fire-related disasters. Citizens, too, must play their part by adhering to safety standards and maintaining basic firefighting equipment, such as fire extinguishers, for their own safety.