In a tragic incident, more than 60 families lost their source of income within less than two hours early on Thursday morning. A part of local daily market turned into ashes as fire broke out in the north-west corner of the Sabji Mandi.
At about 3 am some labourers who were carrying bags of fruits and vegetables from the trucks to the godown saw some shops burning. They immediately informed about the fire to other persons present in the market at that time. Some rushed towards the spot and some towards the Sadar Police station which is just adjacent to the local daily market.
Fire brigade was called but it took about two hours time to come to the spot and in the mean time fire has taken devastating shape. As the news of fire spread shopkeepers of entire market ran towards their shops and it is due to their effort that the checked the loss.
In the morning after 9 am the shopkeepers and fire brigade finally washed the fire. In the mean time more than five dozens shops were completely destroyed by the flames. Most of the shops were of small venders who had lost their livelihood because of this incident.
In anger the shopkeepers sat on dharna before the sadar police station and started demanding a probe of the whole incident. Some political workers also joined them and tried to give the incident political color but alert district and police administration failed their move. It is said that the reason of this fire was short circuit but according to some shopkeepers it might be the result of use of candles or kerosene lamps which someone had forgotten before closing his shop and rats have done the rest.
As per a rough estimate property and goods of more than 5 crores has been turned into ashes by the fire. Most of shops are uninsured so hard days have come for those families who had lost their livelihood.