A CORRESPONDENT
BOKAJAN: Properties worth several lakh rupees were reduced to ashes in a devastating fire which broke out at the Lahorijan area in Karbi Anglong district along the Assam-Nagaland border on Wednesday. Notably, the fire spread to the surrounding area and flames engulfed over half a dozen business establishments and around 200 makeshift huts were also burnt in the devastating fire.
Several fire tenders from both Assam and Nagaland were pressed to bring the fire under control. It took over 2 hours for the fire-fighting teams to contain the fire. Two passenger cars and a couple of motorcycles were also burnt in the fire. The area happens to be a slum and residents are migrant labourers who mostly work in neighbouring Dimapur- the commercial hub of Nagaland.
As per the primary information gathered from locals, the fire started due to a possible short circuit in one of the houses and later spread to the neighbouring huts, triggering a series of gas cylinder explosions in the vicinity. Police are also suspecting it to be a case of arson with vested interest and more investigation is on to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.
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