A fierce nocturnal blaze has rendered three families homeless in Assam's Cachar district, causing extensive damage estimated at a staggering Rs 30 lakh. The incident occurred in Chandinagar, Katigorah circle, an area situated close to the sensitive India-Bangladesh border.
Suspected Short Circuit Triggers Inferno
The fire broke out late on Sunday night, with preliminary investigations pointing towards an electrical short circuit in one of the dwellings as the likely origin. The flames spread with alarming speed, consuming the adjacent homes of Abdul Hamid Laskar, Abdul Gafur Laskar, and Abdul Mukit Laskar. Within hours, all three structures were reduced to ashes.
The affected families recounted the immense loss, which included not just their homes but also vital possessions. The inferno destroyed large stockpiles of rice, cash savings, furniture, critical documents, and other essential household items, wiping out years of hard-earned assets in a single night.
Alleged Delay in Fire Tender Response Sparks Anger
A significant point of contention following the disaster has been the response time of the fire services. Local residents have alleged that fire tenders summoned from Kalain, Katigorah, and Badarpur arrived at the scene approximately one and a half hours after the alarm was raised.
By the time the firefighters reached, the houses were already completely gutted. This perceived delay has triggered considerable anger among the villagers, who firmly believe that a more timely intervention could have significantly curtailed the scale of the destruction and saved some of their belongings.
No Casualties, Official Probe Initiated
Fortunately, despite the scale of the material damage, no casualties or injuries have been reported from the incident. Police personnel swiftly arrived in the area to assess the situation and ensure law and order was maintained amidst the crisis.
Authorities have confirmed that an official inquiry has been launched to definitively ascertain the exact cause and circumstances of the fire. This investigation will look into all aspects, including the sequence of events and the emergency response timeline.
The tragic event in Silchar underscores the vulnerability of households to such sudden disasters and highlights critical concerns regarding emergency service infrastructure and response efficiency in border regions.
