A sudden fire broke out on Sunday in Shillong, engulfing a restaurant situated near Ajmera on GS Road and reducing four commercial establishments to ashes. Firefighting crews managed to bring the blaze under control within approximately 45 minutes, averting a much larger disaster in the busy commercial hub.
Old Wooden Structure Complicates Operations
The fire originated within an aging Assam-type structure. Because the building featured a predominantly wooden construction, the risk of the raging flames leaping across to neighbouring properties along the crowded commercial corridor escalated rapidly, heightening panic among local business owners.
Swift Response from Fire Services
Dinesh Rai, Officer-in-Charge of the Fire Station at Bara Bazar, stated that the fire control room received an alert regarding the emergency near the Ajmera building. A fire tender was dispatched immediately to the location following the call.
Overcoming Access Challenges
Firefighters encountered significant difficulties reaching the inner affected portions of the complex due to its vintage architecture. Crews were forced to dismantle sections of the tin roofing to direct water streams effectively at the seat of the fire. As a precautionary measure, a second fire tender from an adjacent station was kept on standby.
Extent of Damage and Investigation
According to Rai, the fire ignited inside a restaurant before jumping to three adjoining shops. The restaurant where the incident began suffered the most severe destruction. However, the aggressive containment strategy prevented the fire from spreading past the four affected businesses, despite the heavy timber framing and tight spacing.
No Casualties Reported
Authorities confirmed that no casualties or injuries occurred during the entire episode. The exact trigger behind the blaze remains undetermined, and officials are yet to complete a formal assessment of the financial property damage caused by the incident.
