DIMAPUR — A devastating fire broke out on
Sunday morning at Ward 3 (Nokyu Ward) of Mangkolemba town in Mokokchung
district, gutting five private residences, two shops, and adjoining godowns.
According to officials at Mangkolemba ADC headquarters, the
fire started at around 10 am, reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit.
The blaze was finally brought under control after an hour,
thanks to the concerted efforts of residents using makeshift methods.
The fire affected five tenants, two grocery shops and
adjoining godowns, an official informed.
The absence of a nearby fire station severely hampered
firefighting efforts, it was informed.
The nearest fire station is located in Mokokchung town, 64.3
kilometres away—a journey that takes over three hours.
In response to the tragedy, Temjenmenba, local MLA and
Advisor for Transport and Technical Education, issued an urgent appeal to S
Kiusumew Yimchunger, Advisor for Fire & Emergency Services, Home Guard, and
Civil Defence.
In his letter, Temjenmenba highlighted the vulnerability of
Mangkolemba and surrounding villages due to the lack of a fire station.
“A devastating fire incident happened on December 8, 2024,
in Mangkolemba town, which rendered many families homeless and destroyed
commercial goods worth crores of rupees. Such incidents could have been averted
had a fire station been in place,” the letter read.
The MLA emphasised the need for immediate allocation of
funds for the establishment of a fire station in Mangkolemba, citing the
significant risks posed by delays in emergency response.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of Mangkolemba Town Council (MTC),
Supongtsungba, shared that due to the dry season, there is a scarcity of water
in the town.
They residents had to sever two PHED pipelines and divert
the water to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading towards the
forest, he informed.
No household items could be salvaged and the property worth
INR 2.5 crore (approx) was damaged, he said.
For immediate relief, the MTC has provided INR 1,000 each to
the affected families, the chairperson said, adding that well-wishers have also
extended their support to the victims.
